Ukrainian naval drones reportedly struck two oil tankers operating in the Black Sea, according to statements from Ukrainian officials.
Verified footage depicts waterborne drones engaging with the vessels, leading to detonations and subsequent emissions of black smoke. Turkish authorities identified the targeted tankers as the Kairos and Virat, both of which are flagged to Gambia.
The incidents occurred off the Turkish coast, with both vessels reportedly hit on Friday, and the Virat sustaining a second strike on Saturday. No casualties were reported in connection with these events.
These actions by Kyiv align with efforts to impact Russia's oil revenues. The involved ships are described as part of a 'shadow fleet' comprising hundreds of tankers. This fleet is utilized by Russia to transport oil, reportedly bypassing Western sanctions implemented after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The 'shadow fleet' is often characterized by older vessels and less transparent ownership or insurance arrangements.