In a bold move, Ukraine has dealt a powerful blow to Russia’s covert oil transportation network, targeting a so-called ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers in the Black Sea. Ukrainian security services revealed that their underwater drones struck two tankers, a direct response to Russia’s defiance of international sanctions.
But here’s the controversial part: Ukraine’s security source claims these strikes were a joint operation, utilizing Sea Baby maritime drones in collaboration with the navy. This strategic move effectively crippled the tankers, rendering them out of service. The impact? A significant disruption to Russia’s oil supply chain.
The targeted tankers, sailing under the flags of convenience, were identified as the Virat and the Kairos. The Virat, damaged on Friday and attacked again on Saturday, was approximately 30 miles off the Turkish coast. Despite minor damage above the waterline, the Turkish Transport Ministry reported no fire and no request to abandon the ship. Meanwhile, the Kairos, a massive 275-meter-long tanker weighing nearly 80,000 tons, had a fire on its open deck, which was later extinguished.
These incidents are not isolated. Earlier this year, similar explosions rocked ships carrying Russian oil from the Black Sea. The Virat and Kairos had transited the Bosphorus Strait into the Black Sea, a route also used by other sanctioned vessels carrying Russian crude oil, according to shipping data.
And the story doesn’t end there: A marine drone attacked a mooring point at the Russian port of Novorossiysk, a key hub for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. This pipeline transports oil from Kazakhstan through Russia to international customers. In response, Kazakhstan has had to redirect its oil exports, further highlighting the far-reaching consequences of these strikes.
Ukraine’s actions have undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the region. But were these strikes justified? Were they a necessary response to Russia’s sanctions evasion, or an escalation of tensions? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s explore the complexities of this international conflict.