A Russian oil tanker named Virat was struck in the Black Sea by an underwater unmanned drone deployed by Ukraine, marking the second attack on the vessel within 24 hours. Ukrainian security officials confirmed responsibility, saying the strike targeted Russia’s “shadow fleet” that continues transporting sanctioned oil despite international restrictions.
The crew of Virat and another tanker, Kairo, had issued an open-frequency distress call reporting a “drone attack,” though the reference was not to aerial drones but to unmanned maritime vessels. In the radio recording, a crew member urgently broadcasts: “This is VIRAT. Help needed! Drone attack! Mayday!”
Turkey’s Ministry of Transport said the tanker was first hit about 35 nautical miles off the Black Sea coastline and was attacked again early Saturday by unmanned maritime vehicles. Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uralolu said investigators were assessing evidence of an “external impact,” suggesting a mine, rocket, underwater drone, or similar strike. Despite the hit, officials reported that the tanker suffered only minor damage and that all crew members remained unharmed.
Open-source maritime trackers and security analysts indicated that twenty crew members were evacuated after Friday’s first attack. Some reports claimed the vessel was burning and sinking off Turkey’s coast, though Turkish maritime authorities later confirmed the damage was limited and there was no fire.
According to Ukrainian security sources cited by CNN, the dual strikes on Virat and Kairo were carried out using “Sea Baby” naval drones in a joint operation between the SBU and Ukraine’s navy. Both tankers reportedly sustained heavy damage, effectively rendering them unusable.
The attack represents a strategic escalation in Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s oil transport network. Moscow relies on a large fleet of tankers—often registered under foreign flags—to ship crude internationally despite sanctions. Disabling or sinking shadow-fleet tankers could hinder Russia’s export logistics in the Black Sea.
Russia has not yet issued an official response. The Virat was operating roughly 50 km off Turkey’s coast when attacked, outside Turkish territorial waters, and maritime tracking data later showed it slowing and veering toward land. The tanker has undergone multiple re-registrations and name changes and was sanctioned earlier this year by the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union.
Kairo, also Gambian-flagged, was struck in a separate explosion on Friday, and all 25 crew members were evacuated safely. Both attacks form part of a growing pattern of Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian oil logistics far from the front lines.
