Underwater Drones Hit Russian "Shadow Fleet" Tankers in Black Sea

Ukrainian underwater drones have struck two tankers belonging to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea, according to an official in Ukraine’s security services (SBU), Tim Lister, Victoria Butenko and Eyad Kourdi reported for CNN.

A Ukrainian security source said that Sea Baby maritime drones had been used in a joint operation by the SBU and the navy. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Ukraine claimed responsibility for the attacks after explosions hit the two vessels over the weekend.

A Ukrainian security source told CNN that Sea Baby maritime drones had been used in a joint operation by the SBU and the navy. Both tankers sustained critical damage, the source said, and were effectively taken out of service.

“This will deal a significant blow to the transportation of Russian oil.” Russia uses hundreds of tankers — many sailing under various flags of convenience — to ship its oil to customers in defiance of sanctions.

The Gambian-flagged tanker Virat was attacked again on Saturday, after already sustaining damage on Friday, according to Turkey’s Transport Ministry.

Minor damage occurred above the waterline, Turkish maritime authorities said, and there was no fire. The vessel was located about 30 miles (50 kilometers) off the Turkish coast. Ship-tracking data showed it slowing and turning toward the coast late on Friday.

“There is no request from the personnel to abandon the ship,” the Turkish Transport Ministry said, though a firefighting tugboat had been dispatched to the scene.