A Ukrainian drone reportedly targeted a Russian oil tanker in the Black Sea late Wednesday, marking another incident amid ongoing tensions in the region. The incident involved the 274-meter Elbus tanker, which was reportedly en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk to load oil when it was struck approximately 30 miles off Turkey’s Black Sea coast.
According to reports, the tanker was empty at the time of the attack. There are no immediate reports of casualties or environmental damage resulting from the strike. The vessel was part of Russia’s shadow fleet, often associated with less transparent transport operations within the region.
This attack comes amid heightened military activity and diplomatic tensions involving Ukraine and Russia, with the Black Sea being a strategic and contested area. Ukraine has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on Russian military assets and supply routes, though details are often difficult to independently verify. The incident adds to concerns over the safety of maritime traffic and regional stability in the Black Sea area.