Ukraine says its drones hit two tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet in the Black Sea

Ukrainian underwater drones have struck two tankers belonging to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea, according to a senior official from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), CNN reported.

Ukraine claimed responsibility after explosions hit the vessels on Friday and Saturday. A Ukrainian security source told CNN that Sea Baby maritime drones were used in a joint SBU–navy operation. Russia has not publicly commented.

The source said to CNN that both tankers suffered critical damage and were effectively taken out of service. “This will deal a significant blow to the transportation of Russian oil,” the source added.

Russia depends on hundreds of tankers—many sailing under flags of convenience—to move its oil despite international sanctions.

Virat hit twice

The Gambian-flagged Virat was struck again on Saturday after first being damaged on Friday, Turkey’s Transport Ministry confirmed. Turkish officials said the tanker sustained minor damage above the waterline, with no fire reported. The ship was sailing about 30 miles (50 km) off Turkey’s coast.

Tracking data showed the vessel slowing and turning towards the shoreline late on Friday.

“There is no request from the personnel to abandon the ship,” the ministry said, noting that a fire-fighting tug had been dispatched.

The Virat’s destination remains unclear. Shipping data listed it as awaiting orders in the Black Sea. The tanker—previously operating under a different name—has been sanctioned by the US, UK and EU.

Kairos crew evacuated

A separate explosion on Friday struck the Kairos, another Gambian-flagged tanker carrying Russian crude in a nearby area of the Black Sea. All 25 crew members were evacuated. Neither vessel was within Turkish territorial waters when hit.

Video circulating online showed Turkish tugs battling a large fire on the Kairos roughly 30 miles offshore. Turkey later confirmed that the open-deck fire had been extinguished.

Kyiv confirms the strikes

An SBU official told Reuters that both the Kairos and Virat were empty and heading to Novorossiysk, a major Russian oil terminal, to load crude for export. Footage released online appeared to show naval drones racing towards the ships before explosions triggered fires. Reuters could not independently verify the location, date or identity of the vessels.

“Video shows that after being hit, both tankers sustained critical damage and were effectively taken out of service,” the Ukrainian official said. “This will deal a significant blow to Russian oil transportation.”

Ukraine has spent months striking Russian oil refineries with long-range drones. The latest attacks mark a shift towards targeting vessels themselves.

Pressure on Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’

Kyiv has repeatedly called on Western governments to clamp down on Russia’s shadow fleet—hundreds of ageing, lightly regulated ships that expanded after the invasion of Ukraine and allow Moscow to continue exporting oil despite sanctions.

In a separate development, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC)—which transports more than 1% of the world’s oil—halted operations on Saturday after a mooring at its Black Sea terminal in Russia was severely damaged in what it described as a Ukrainian naval drone attack. The CPC mainly exports Kazakh oil through Russia, and Kazakhstan condemned the strike as unacceptable.

Sanctioned vessels

According to LSEG shipping data, both the Kairos and Virat are listed among vessels sanctioned over links to Russia’s oil trade following the 2022 invasion.

The Ukrainian official did not specify the exact timing of the strikes.