Mad Max at sea: How Russia trying to save its oil fleet from Ukrainian drones
Photo: oil tanker (Getty Images)
Russia is fitting its oil tankers with unusual protective structures to defend against Ukrainian drones. Vessels are being covered with nets, enclosed in metal cages, and even equipped with onboard water tanks, the Financial Times reports.
New defenses appear on tankers
Russian vessels have begun using methods that were previously employed mainly on land to protect equipment from drones. One such tanker, the 28-year-old Caruzo, passed through the Bosporus from the Black Sea with nets surrounding its superstructure and metal frameworks mounted on the roof.
Images of the vessel were published by shipping analyst Yörük Işık. He compared the unusual setup to something out of the Mad Max films. According to him, similar protection has also appeared on another tanker, Rizvel.
Why ships are being covered with nets
The nets and metal cages are intended to increase the distance between a drone and the vessel's hull or superstructure. This could cause a munition to detonate before making direct contact with the target.
Water tanks were also placed on board the Caruzo. Similar structures have previously been used by Russian forces on armored vehicles as protection against strikes.
TankerTrackers.com co-founder Samir Madani said that the tanker's crew had effectively "locked themselves" inside the protective structures.
Attacks are already affecting shipping
Over the past two months, Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian facilities and vessels in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov in an effort to disrupt oil exports.
The Black Sea remains a key route for Russian oil shipments, and the growing risks are already being reflected in transportation costs.
According to Argus, freight rates in the region have risen noticeably. Some shipowners prefer to wait rather than take on additional risks. Insurance for shipments has also become more expensive or is available only with restrictions.
At the same time, the protective structures do not guarantee complete safety. In Novorossiysk, Russia is also strengthening defenses around port infrastructure by installing nets and other barriers.
Ukraine, through an intermediary, proposed that Russia halt strikes on civilian targets in the Black Sea, but Moscow has not yet responded to Kyiv's initiative.
