A Russian tanker in the Black Sea near Crimea was hit by Ukrainian drones on Friday night, according to Russian officials and video footage on social media. This was the second drone attack on the sea in one day, after Ukraine targeted a major Russian port earlier in the day. The Black Sea is becoming an increasingly important battleground as Kyiv’s naval capabilities grow.
Three weeks ago, Moscow withdrew from a key export agreement that allowed Ukraine to ship grain across the Black Sea for sale on world markets. In response, Russia carried out multiple strikes on Ukrainian ports, including Odesa.
An official from Ukraine’s Security Service confirmed that they were behind the attack on the tanker, which was transporting fuel for Russian forces. The attack was carried out using a sea drone filled with 450 kilograms of TNT. The Russian Federal Agency for Marine and River Transport confirmed that there were no casualties among the 11 crew members, but some members of the crew were wounded due to broken glass.
Without explicitly stating that Ukraine was responsible, Vasyl Malyuk, the head of Ukraine’s Security Service, stated that such operations conducted in Ukraine’s territorial waters are completely legal and an effective measure against the enemy.
The attack briefly stopped traffic on the Kerch Bridge and ferry transport. Tugboats were dispatched to assist the tanker, which is under U.S. sanctions for providing jet fuel to Russian forces.
Earlier in the day, Ukraine’s attack on Novorossiysk halted maritime traffic for a few hours, being the first time a commercial Russian port has been targeted in the conflict. The port, located about 110 kilometers east of Crimea, has naval bases, shipbuilding yards, and an oil terminal, making it crucial for exports.
In other news, senior officials from around 40 countries are participating in a two-day summit in Saudi Arabia to find a peaceful settlement to the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for providing the platform for negotiations.
