Ukraine has reported using sea drones to target two oil tankers belonging to Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet, which were located a few dozen kilometers off the coast of Turkey.
The ships Kairos and Virat, flying the flag of The Gambia, experienced explosions on Friday evening after their crews informed Turkish authorities about the attacks.
Kairos, en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk, caught fire partially, leading to the safe evacuation of all 25 crew members. Meanwhile, the crew aboard Virat confirmed being struck twice, resulting in minor damage. Both vessels were not transporting any crude oil at the time.
Turkey’s transport and infrastructure minister, Abdulkadir UraloÄlu, stated in an interview with Turkish broadcaster NTV that the incidents occurred within the country’s exclusive economic zone. He mentioned ongoing communication with relevant authorities to prevent such occurrences in the future and ensure safe navigation, without providing further specifics.
Responsibility Claimed by Ukraine
An official from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated that the attacks on the two vessels were executed by the SBU and the Ukrainian navy utilizing “sea baby” drones, equipped with reinforced warheads capable of long-distance travel.
A video was released showing the drone strikes on the ships, captured by cameras mounted on the drones. Both ships had been sanctioned by the U.K. and the European Union, with Virat, constructed in 2018, additionally sanctioned by Canada.
Despite repeated sanctions imposed by Western nations on Russia’s shadow fleet, the vessels persist in transporting Russian crude, bolstering Moscow’s economy and its capabilities to finance the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative, described the Russian shadow fleet as a growing problem in global shipping, highlighting the continuous addition of vessels despite targeted sanctions.
Escalating Shadow Fleet
Braw explained that the vessels, often aging and camouflaging their movements, frequently change names and registration countries while utilizing “flags of convenience.”
She noted that countries with limited maritime experience, such as The Gambia and the Cook Islands, have begun registering shadow vessels.
Sanctioned ships lack Western personal and indemnity insurance and are restricted from accessing specific ports.
Tensions in the Black Sea have intensified following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, resulting in incidents like merchant ships facing damage from attacks on Ukrainian ports and accidental encounters with underwater mines.
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