Ukraine Targets Sanctions-Evading Vessels
Ukraine has reportedly intensified its campaign against Russia's 'shadow fleet,' striking at least three oil tankers in the Black Sea and one off West Africa in late November and early December 2025. These actions are part of Kyiv's broader strategy to disrupt Russia's ability to circumvent international sanctions and fund its ongoing military operations.
The 'shadow fleet' is a clandestine network of hundreds of vessels, often aging, operated by Russia to evade policing following the enactment of 2022 crude oil price cap sanctions by G7 countries and the European Union. These ships typically operate with opaque ownership structures, limited oversight, and minimal compliance with international safety norms, enabling Russia to continue exporting oil.
Black Sea Strikes: Kairos, Virat, and Dashan
In late November 2025, Ukrainian 'Sea Baby' naval drones reportedly struck two tankers, the Kairos and the Virat, in the Black Sea off Turkey's Kocaeli province. Both vessels, flagged under Gambia, were identified as part of Russia's shadow fleet and were reportedly heading to the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The Kairos, a 274-meter-long tanker, caught fire, and its 25-member crew was evacuated. The Virat sustained damage, including to its engine room, and was reportedly struck a second time.
Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) sources indicated that both tankers suffered 'critical damage' and were 'taken out of service,' disabling vessels capable of transporting oil worth nearly $70 million. These attacks occurred within Turkey's exclusive economic zone, prompting condemnation from Turkish authorities who cited serious safety risks and called the incidents 'unacceptable.'
More recently, on December 10, 2025, another tanker, the Comoros-flagged Dashan, was reportedly hit by Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea. The Dashan was sailing at high speed towards Novorossiysk with its transponders switched off when it sustained 'critical damage' to its stern from explosions. This marks the third such incident involving a shadow fleet tanker in two weeks, according to Ukrainian intelligence sources.
Attack Off West Africa and Broader Implications
Beyond the Black Sea, the Turkish-owned tanker Mersin reportedly suffered blasts and a flooded engine room off Dakar, Senegal, in late November. While Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for this incident, the vessel had recently called at a Russian port and is considered part of the wider pattern of attacks on tankers involved in moving Russian oil.
These attacks represent a significant expansion of Ukraine's maritime drone operations, demonstrating an increased operational range and a willingness to target Russian assets in international waters. The SBU has stated that these actions are aimed at 'curtailing Russia's financial capabilities to wage war against Ukraine.' In response to these incidents, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly threatened to cut off Ukraine's access to the Black Sea, labeling the strikes as 'pirate attacks.'
5 Comments
Michelangelo
Massive environmental disaster waiting to happen. The Black Sea can't handle oil spills.
Leonardo
Cutting off Russia's financial lifeline is vital, but the potential for miscalculation and escalation when striking vessels in international waters, especially near NATO allies like Turkey, is a serious concern.
Raphael
This is piracy, plain and simple. Endangering international shipping is a dangerous escalation.
Leonardo
While Ukraine has every right to defend itself and disrupt Russia's war funding, targeting commercial vessels, even illicit ones, raises serious questions about maritime safety and international law.
Donatello
It's understandable Ukraine wants to stop Russia's oil revenues, but these drone strikes on aging tankers carry a high risk of major environmental damage, which could harm everyone in the region.