Turkey Investigates Black Sea Tanker Strikes Amid 'External Interference' Claims

Investigation Launched After Tankers Struck in Black Sea

Turkish authorities have initiated an investigation into alleged 'external interference' following incidents involving two oil tankers, the Kairos and Virat, in the Black Sea. The vessels, identified as part of Russia's 'shadow fleet,' were struck in quick succession off Turkey's coast on Friday, November 28, 2025, with one reportedly hit again on Saturday, November 29, 2025. The events led to a fire on one tanker and explosions on the other, prompting extensive rescue operations. All 45 crew members from both ships were reported safe.

Details of the Incidents and Rescue Efforts

The first incident occurred when the Gambian-flagged tanker Kairos caught fire approximately 28 nautical miles (52 kilometers) off Turkey's Kocaeli province. Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu stated that rescue teams suspected 'external interference' as the cause of the blaze. Shortly after, the Virat, also Gambian-flagged, was reported 'struck' about 35 nautical miles (64 kilometers) off the Turkish coast, with heavy smoke detected in its engine room and crew reporting explosions. Both tankers were empty and en route to Russia's Novorossiysk port to load cargo at the time of the attacks. All 25 crew members from the Kairos and 20 crew members from the Virat were safely evacuated or confirmed to be in good condition.

Minister Uraloglu initially suggested that the external interference could be a mine, a missile, a marine vessel, or a drone. He later confirmed that the captain of the Virat had issued a distress call over 'a drone attack.' The Virat reportedly sustained minor damage to its starboard side above the waterline from a second strike by 'unmanned surface vessels' on Saturday morning. Firefighting and cooling operations continued aboard the Kairos, which was taking on water and at risk of sinking.

The 'Shadow Fleet' and Sanctions Context

Both the Kairos and Virat are identified as part of Russia's 'shadow fleet,' a network of vessels used to circumvent international sanctions imposed on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These tankers often operate under flags of convenience and opaque ownership structures to transport Russian oil outside the G7/EU price-cap regime. Both vessels have been subject to sanctions by various international bodies, including the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Canada, due to their involvement in sanctions evasion.

Ukrainian Claims of Responsibility

Sources within Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) have claimed responsibility for the strikes, stating that domestically produced 'Sea Baby' naval drones were used in a joint operation with the Ukrainian Navy. According to these sources, the operation targeted the tankers to hinder Russia's financial capacity to wage war and to disrupt its efforts to bypass international sanctions. Video footage allegedly shows the destruction of the tankers, with Ukrainian sources asserting that both vessels sustained 'critical damage' and were 'effectively taken out of service.'

The incidents occurred within Turkey's exclusive economic zone, and Turkish authorities are maintaining contact with relevant parties to prevent recurrence and ensure navigational safety in the Black Sea.