In a bold maritime strike, Ukraine unleashed explosive‑laden sea drones against two Russian‑associated oil tankers, the Kairos and Virat, in the Black Sea — a direct assault on Moscow’s sanction‑busting “shadow fleet.”
According to a statement from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the vessels were hit as they sailed toward Russia’s Black Sea oil port of Novorossiysk. The attack was carried out using domestically built “Sea Baby” naval drones in cooperation with the Ukrainian Navy.
Footage released by the SBU shows the drones racing across waves toward the tankers before detonating, triggering intense fires aboard the ships. The Kairos caught fire, forcing evacuation of its 25‑member crew. The Virat was hit twice — first Friday evening and again Saturday — sustaining damage but remaining afloat with her crew reportedly unharmed.
Both ships are registered to Gambia but are widely recognized as part of Russia’s shadow fleet: a fleet of ageing, obscurely owned tankers used to bypass Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The SBU estimates the vessels were capable of carrying oil shipments worth nearly US$70 million, marking a substantial blow to Russia’s export capacity.
This attack represents a shift in Kyiv’s pressure campaign. While previous Ukrainian strikes mostly targeted inland refineries and infrastructure, these sea‑borne drone operations show Kyiv’s ability to strike deep into maritime supply chains — reaching well beyond the northern Black Sea.
The strikes triggered a sharp reaction from Turkey. Ankara condemned the attacks, noting that they occurred within Turkish exclusive economic zone waters and posed serious threats to maritime safety, navigation, and the environment.
The incidents underscore the growing dangers of Russia’s reliance on its shadow fleet. Experts warn that these older, poorly maintained tankers — many with opaque ownership and minimal insurance — now face elevated risks from Ukraine’s expanding use of sea drones.
By striking both tankers and previously hitting loading infrastructure near Novorossiysk, Kyiv appears to be executing a coordinated strategy to choke off Russia’s wartime oil revenue — striking at both transport vessels and export terminals.
The attacks also signal a worsening security situation in the Black Sea, raising fears among regional maritime stakeholders about increased escalations, environmental hazards, and threats to neutral shipping — particularly in waters previously considered relatively safe from direct conflict.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members