Ukraine struck two sanctioned oil tankers in the Black Sea using naval drones, targeting vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” as they sailed toward the port of Novorossiysk. An official said the empty tankers, identified as the Kairos and Virat, were headed to load oil for export, marking another attempt by Kyiv to pressure Moscow’s lucrative energy sector. Video shared by Ukrainian security services showed drones racing toward the massive ships before explosions erupted.
Furthermore, the official stated that both tankers suffered critical damage and were effectively removed from service, which could significantly disrupt Russian oil transport. Ukraine has long urged Western governments to take stronger action against the shadow fleet, which it says enables Moscow to bypass sanctions and fund its ongoing war. The targeted fleet is composed largely of old and lightly regulated ships that expanded after Russia’s full-scale invasion.
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Additionally, the latest attacks differ from previous Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, which usually involve long-range aerial drones. This time, Kyiv deployed explosive-filled naval drones that played a key role in earlier operations to push back Russia’s Black Sea fleet. The hits on Kairos and Virat indicate Ukraine’s increasing use of sea-based weapons to challenge Russia’s maritime logistics.
Turkey’s Transport Ministry confirmed that the 274-meter-long Kairos caught fire after an explosion, prompting the evacuation of its crew and continued firefighting efforts. The Virat was reportedly struck around 35 nautical miles offshore and later hit again by unmanned vessels, though it sustained only minor damage above the waterline. Turkish officials expressed concern because the incidents took place inside Turkey’s Exclusive Economic Zone, raising safety and regional stability issues.
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Moreover, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium halted operations after a mooring at Russia’s Black Sea terminal suffered major damage from another Ukrainian naval drone. The pipeline handles over 1% of global oil supply and mainly exports Kazakh crude, prompting Kazakhstan to call the attack unacceptable. Ankara said it is engaging with all parties to prevent the conflict from widening in the Black Sea, where commercial and strategic interests overlap.
Ukraine did not disclose the exact timing of the strikes, and Russia has not issued any public response. However, both targeted ships remain on international sanctions lists tied to Russia’s invasion, reinforcing Kyiv’s strategy of hitting assets that directly support Moscow’s wartime economy.