Ukraine strikes a Russian tanker near Crimea, according to Russia’s report.
A Ukrainian attack in the Black Sea has resulted in damage to a Russian tanker and its engine room. The incident occurred in the Kerch Strait, with no injuries reported among the 11 crew members on board. The vessel, identified as a Sig tanker by Russia’s maritime transport agency, was located approximately 17 miles south of the Crimean Bridge at the time of the strike. The attack is believed to have been carried out by a naval drone, as suggested by both Russian maritime officials and military bloggers.
Naval drones, also known as sea drones, are unmanned watercraft that operate on or below the water’s surface. Research indicates that Ukraine has used sea drones in several attacks, including one on a Russian ship prior to this incident. The “Russian Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre” dispatched two tugs to the scene, while RosMorRechFlot stated that the vessel sustained damage near its engine room, likely caused by a sea drone.
The Kerch Strait serves as a vital passage connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, separating the “Crimean Peninsula” (annexed by Russia in 2014) and Russia’s Taman Peninsula. In response to the threat of an attack, lighting on the Crimean Bridge was turned off, and traffic was halted.
This event marks the latest in a series of drone attacks in the region. Just days earlier, a Ukrainian naval drone reportedly struck a Russian naval ship near Novorossiysk, causing a significant breach. Tensions have escalated as Russia withdrew from a crucial UN agreement that facilitated safe grain exports between the two countries across the Black Sea.
The conflict’s escalation has led to damage inflicted on Ukrainian ports by Russian drones and missiles, prompting threats of retaliation from Kyiv. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is set to host talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, with invitations extended to around 30 countries, excluding Russia. The meeting is scheduled to take place in Jeddah, and it follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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