Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Shadow Oil Fleet: Two Tankers Hit in the Black Sea
Ukrainian security officials say Kyiv’s forces disabled two tankers used by Russia to evade sanctions, targeting them with drones in the Black Sea.
Tensions in the Black Sea surged after Ukrainian forces carried out a coordinated drone attack on two tankers allegedly belonging to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” The vessels — identified as Kairos and Virat — were en route to the key Russian oil terminal in Novorossiysk when they were struck, sustaining significant structural damage.
Severe damage leaves tankers inoperable
According to a Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) official, both tankers were traveling empty but suffered “major damage” that rendered them effectively out of service. Video footage cited by the official reportedly shows extensive destruction along the hulls after the strikes.
A direct blow to Russia’s sanctions-evasion routes
The attack targeted vessels allegedly used by Moscow to bypass international restrictions on its oil exports, dealing what Ukrainian officials describe as a “meaningful disruption” to Russia’s covert maritime operations. The SBU source emphasized that the operation was carried out jointly by Ukrainian naval units and intelligence teams.
