Ukraine Strikes Russian Tankers in Black Sea with Underwater Drones
Ukrainian underwater drones successfully targeted two tankers linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea, marking a significant escalation in maritime confrontations. The attacks occurred on March 15 and 16, 2024, and were confirmed by an official from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). Both vessels sustained critical damage, effectively removing them from operational status.
According to a Ukrainian security source, the Sea Baby maritime drones were employed in a coordinated operation involving both the SBU and the Ukrainian navy. The source indicated that the assaults would severely disrupt the transportation of Russian oil, which relies heavily on various tankers under flags of convenience to bypass international sanctions.
One of the tankers, identified as the Virat, flagged under Gambia, was struck twice. The first hit occurred on March 15, followed by another explosion the next day, as reported by Turkey’s Transport Ministry. Minor damage was recorded above the waterline, and although there was no fire, a fire-fighting tugboat was dispatched to monitor the situation. The vessel was located approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) off the Turkish coast, and its destination remains unclear.
The Virat had previously been sanctioned by the United States in January 2023 when it operated under a different name. The United Kingdom and the European Union later imposed sanctions this year. Shipping data indicated that the tanker was waiting for further instructions in the Black Sea at the time of the attack.
Another vessel, the Kairos, also flagged under Gambia, experienced an explosion in proximity to the Virat. All 25 crew members aboard the Kairos were safely evacuated. This tanker, measuring 275 meters in length and weighing nearly 80,000 tons, had also been sanctioned by the EU earlier this year. It had departed from an Indian port earlier in March, en route to Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.
The Turkish Transport Ministry later confirmed that a fire on the open deck of the Kairos had been extinguished. Video footage displayed Turkish tugs battling a significant blaze aboard the ship while it was approximately 30 miles off the Turkish shore. Notably, both the Virat and the Kairos were not in Turkish waters at the time they were hit, indicating the strategic nature of these military operations in the region.
Earlier in 2024, several unexplained explosions had occurred on vessels involved in transporting Russian oil from the Black Sea. The recent attacks on the Virat and Kairos align with ongoing efforts by Ukraine to target Russian logistics and supply chains in response to the war that began in February 2022.
As tensions continue to rise, these incidents highlight the increasing complexity of maritime operations in the Black Sea, where both Ukraine and Russia are vying for control and influence. The full ramifications of these strikes on the overall shipping routes and oil supply will likely unfold in the coming weeks.
