Ukraine hits Russia's shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea with naval drones, sources say

According to the sources, SBU Sea Baby sea drones hit two sanctioned oil tankers, Kairos and Virat, belonging to Russia's shadow fleet, in the Black Sea. This was a joint operation by the SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence and the Ukrainian Navy.

The modernized Sea Baby sea drones successfully engaged the vessels. They are capable of covering long distances and are equipped with reinforced warheads.

Video footage shows that after the hits, both tankers suffered critical damage and were put out of operation, which will significantly impact the transportation of Russian oil.

During the attack, the sanctioned vessels were empty and headed to load cargo at the port of Novorossiysk.

“The SBU continues active measures to cut Russia’s financial capabilities to wage war against Ukraine. Sea Baby sea drones disabled vessels that could carry oil worth nearly $70 million and were helping the Kremlin circumvent international sanctions,” an informed SBU source said.

Background

Earlier, it was reported that explosions occurred on two tankers belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet in the Black Sea near the Bosporus Strait, causing the vessels to catch fire.

Regarding the 274-meter tanker Kairos, the Turkish Ministry of Transport clarified that an explosion and fire occurred while it was traveling from Egypt to the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The incident happened 28 nautical miles from the Turkish coast.

Another tanker, Virat, was affected by an explosion approximately 35 nautical miles from the Turkish coast, slightly east in the Black Sea.

Virat tanker of Russia’s shadow fleet, which caught fire yesterday, November 28, after explosions near the Bosporus, was attacked again in the morning.