Recently, two sanctioned oil tankers, Kairos and Virat, operating under Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” were struck in the Black Sea by Sea Baby naval drones of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
The operation was a joint effort between the SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence and the Ukrainian Navy.
The Kairos, flying the Gambian flag and en route to Novorossiysk, was damaged by a mine north of the Turkish coast while traveling empty. The tanker caught fire due to “external factors,” but all 25 crew members were safely evacuated. Its previous voyage was from Novorossiysk (Russia) to Paradip (India). The Kairos is under EU and UK sanctions for transporting Russian oil.
The Virat, also Gambian-flagged, was attacked again off the Turkish coast using drones, according to local reports.
Both ships reportedly sustained “critical damage,” which could significantly hinder their ability to carry oil.
• A third vessel, MIDVOLGA‑2, was reportedly attacked a few days later — while sailing from Russia toward Georgia.
Turkish authorities said the incident occurred ~130 km off the Turkish coast.
• However, Kyiv formally denied responsibility for that attack, calling Russian claims “propaganda.” Bu ne deyr
Despite these attacks, other sanctioned tankers continue to operate in the Black Sea, showing that the economic incentives of Russian oil exports still outweigh the risks.
Experts note that repeated strikes may gradually increase operational costs and insurance premiums, but for now, the “shadow fleet” remains active, highlighting a partial but not decisive deterrence.
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