Ukrainian naval drones have attacked two Russian-linked oil tankers in the Black Sea, signalling an escalation in Kyiv’s efforts to disrupt Moscow’s oil revenues, which help fund the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The vessels, identified by Turkish authorities as the Kairos and Virat, are both flagged to Gambia and were reportedly part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” used to bypass Western sanctions. The strikes took place off the Turkish coast on Friday, with the Virat reportedly targeted again on Saturday. No casualties were reported.
Footage verified by the BBC shows waterborne drones speeding toward the tankers before detonating, sending black smoke and flames into the air. Ukrainian sources said the attacks were carried out using Sea Baby drones, developed by Ukraine’s security services (SBU). Turkish authorities assisted the vessels, releasing footage of two Turkish boats attempting to extinguish fires on the Kairos.
The Kairos was hit in the southwestern Black Sea and the Virat further east in the central area. Both vessels are listed under sanctions, according to London Stock Exchange data. Observers say the attacks serve as a warning that ships transporting Russian oil in the Black Sea could face direct military action, beyond economic sanctions.
Separately, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which transports oil from the Caspian region, announced the suspension of loading operations in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk following an attack by unmanned boats overnight. The strike damaged a mooring point. Russia and Kazakhstan are major stakeholders, along with Western firms including Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and Shell.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that a delegation led by security official Rustem Umerov was travelling to the United States to continue negotiations on a potential peace agreement. Umerov replaces Zelensky’s former chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who resigned after an anti-corruption investigation. The delegation is scheduled to meet US officials in Florida on Sunday, while US envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Moscow next week.