According to multiple news reports, a Turkish-flagged oil tanker was hit by a suspected Russian drone at the port of Izmail in the Odesa region of Ukraine on Monday local time, sparking a large fire.
The incident occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy finalized an agreement to import U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the region starting January 2026. According to the Turkish Maritime Authority, the “Olinda” was hit while unloading liquefied petroleum gas. Fortunately, all 16 crew members were successfully evacuated, and no one was injured.
Oleh Kiper, head of the regional military administration, stated that drones caused damage to port and energy infrastructure in multiple cities. He noted multiple fires, affecting civilian vessels, and that at least one person was injured in these attacks.
Izmail is located in a strategic position at the mouth of the Black Sea and has been frequently attacked since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began.
On the Romanian side of the Danube River, local authorities ordered the evacuation of residents from villages including Plaur and Ceatalchioi due to concerns about an explosion from the dangerous cargo on the tanker. Video footage from across the river showed flames engulfing the ship, with thick smoke billowing into the sky.
The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported tracking multiple aerial targets overnight but confirmed that its airspace was not violated.
The attack on Ukraine occurred shortly after Zelenskyy concluded an official visit to Greece. During this visit, he reached an agreement to transport U.S. liquefied natural gas to Ukraine via the Alexandroupolis pipeline starting early next year—a crucial move as Kyiv seeks alternative energy supplies before winter amid ongoing attacks on its infrastructure.
In other parts of Ukraine, the situation remains severe. According to local officials, a missile strike on Balakliia overnight killed three people and injured 11 others, including four teenagers aged between 12 and 17. In Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a drone attack killed two people, injured several, and damaged residential and commercial buildings.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched two “Iskander-M” ballistic missiles and a large number of attack drones overnight. Meanwhile, Russia claimed its defense systems intercepted 36 Ukrainian drones attempting to attack its power facilities.
A report from Ulyanovsk Oblast disclosed that a Ukrainian drone damaged a substation, but there were no casualties and no impact on the stability of the power supply.
Citing United Nations statistics, an estimated more than 12,000 civilians have been killed since the conflict began—a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian challenges amidst the military confrontation.
Compiled by Shipping Online.
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