Ukrainian drones strike Russian tanker causing urgent distress call
Tensions in the maritime theatre of the Russia-Ukraine war have escalated sharply following a coordinated strike on a commercial vessel. Security officials in Kyiv have confirmed that the Russian oil tanker Virat was successfully targeted by Ukrainian forces using advanced naval technology. The incident occurred in the Black Sea, marking the second time this specific vessel has faced hostile action in less than 48 hours.
According to sources within Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), the operation was carried out using "Sea Baby" unmanned maritime drones. The attack prompted a frantic response from the ship’s personnel. In a dramatic open-frequency radio transmission, the crew broadcasted a "Mayday" signal, urgently requesting assistance against what they described as a drone assault.
The situation surrounding the condition of the vessel remains fluid and somewhat contradictory. The Turkish Transport Ministry released a statement confirming that the ship was hit approximately 35 nautical miles off the coastline. While Turkish officials initially reported that the tanker remained stable with no fire on board, open-source intelligence monitors presented a more alarming scenario. Reports from OSINT analysts suggest the Russian oil tanker Virat—which flies a Gambian flag—was taking on water and potentially burning following the strike.
This vessel is reportedly part of Russia’s "shadow fleet," a network of ships utilized by Moscow to transport crude oil and bypass international economic sanctions. The Virat had already been red-flagged by Western powers, receiving sanctions from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union earlier this year.
The SBU has formally claimed responsibility for the operation, describing it as a strategic blow to Russia's logistics. A Ukrainian security source noted that the strike was intended to disable the vessel and disrupt oil transportation. In a related incident nearby, another Gambian-flagged ship, the Kairos, also suffered an explosion, though its crew was safely evacuated.
Currently, the Russian oil tanker Virat is being tracked off the coast of Turkey, with its speed significantly reduced. While the 20 crew members were reportedly evacuated following the initial blasts, the long-term fate of the ship remains uncertain as it drifts in international waters.
