Ukraine has reported the use of sea drones to target two oil tankers from Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet that were located just a few dozen kilometers off the coast of Turkey.
The ships Kairos and Virat, flying the Gambian flag, experienced explosions on Friday evening following reports from crews to Turkish authorities about the attacks.
Kairos, en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk, was partially engulfed in flames, with all 25 crew members safely evacuated. The crew on Virat confirmed being hit twice, resulting in minor damage. Notably, neither vessel was carrying crude cargo at the time.
Turkey’s transport and infrastructure minister, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, mentioned in an interview with Turkish broadcaster NTV that the incidents occurred within the country’s exclusive economic zone. He stated that efforts were underway to prevent similar occurrences and ensure navigational safety, withholding further specifics.
Ukraine Takes Accountability
An official from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) declared that the SBU and the Ukrainian navy were behind the attacks on the two vessels using “sea baby” drones, known for their long-distance capabilities and reinforced warheads.
A video was released showing the drone strikes on the ships, captured by cameras mounted on the drones.
Both Kairos and Virat had been subjected to sanctions by the U.K. and the European Union. Additionally, the Virat, constructed in 2018, was also under Canadian sanctions.
Despite numerous rounds of sanctions imposed by Western nations on Russia’s shadow fleet, the vessels persist in transporting Russian crude, supporting Moscow’s economy and its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative, described the Russian shadow fleet as a significant challenge in global shipping, expanding rapidly despite targeted sanctions on specific vessels.
Escalating Shadow Fleet
Braw highlighted that these vessels, typically older and adept at concealing their movements, frequently change names and registration countries. They often operate under “flags of convenience” from countries with limited maritime experience, such as The Gambia and the Cook Islands.
Sanctioned ships are denied Western insurance and face restrictions on specific ports of call.
Tensions have remained high in the Black Sea since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Incidents involving merchant ships include damages from attacks on Ukrainian ports and accidental encounters with underwater mines.