Ukraine took responsibility for the attacks on the tankers in the Black Sea and published a video from the moment of the drone attack.
Turkey had reported earlier that the fires were brought under control on the two ships, but one of the tankers was attacked again in the morning hours. Speculation was increasing about a possible attack by Ukraine using drones or mines.
According to reports from CNN and Agence France-Presse, which cite Ukrainian security sources, they confirm that Ukraine orchestrated the attacks. They say that a new form of the “Sea Baby” drone was used in the attacks and that it was done to hit Russia’s oil exports. Video posted online shows the attack on one of the tankers.
The tanker Virat reportedly sustained minor damage, with the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure saying that the ship Virat was attacked again in the morning hours. On Friday evening, they reported that there was no fire or emergency on the tanker, which was anchored north of Turkey in the Black Sea awaiting orders. On Saturday, they report minor damage to the right side of the Virat.
In a joint operation of the 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence of the SBU and the Ukrainian Navy, two sanctioned Russian shadow tankers were shown that crime doesn’t pay.
The operation took place yesterday on the Black Sea. /IaSbCVOgmu
— SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre (@StratcomCentre) November 29, 2025
Turkey sent a rescue vessel to the location of the Virat. The Ministry states: “Rescue teams are waiting at a safe distance from the ship for security reasons.” The tanker is stable and has not requested assistance to evacuate the crew.
Teams worked all night on the Kairos, the first tanker to be attacked, to control the massive fire caused by the explosion. The Turkish coast guard stated that the 25 crew members abandoned the ship and. There were no reports of injuries.
A tug and an emergency vessel were battling the fire. As of Saturday, the Ministry of Transport reports that the fire on the open decks has been completely extinguished. Firefighting and cooling continue in the enclosed spaces.
Turkish Minister of Transport Abdulkadir Uraloglu had stated earlier to the media that they had no definitive information, but hinted that the cause of the explosion could have been a mine, a missile, a sea vessel, or a drone. He admitted that the explosions on both tankers “were caused by an external factor.”
“Conflicting reports suggest USV or UAV, although a sea mine could not be ruled out,” wrote Martin Kelly, head of the advisory team at EOS Risk Group. “The Virat incident suggests the previous incident involving the Kairos was not accidental at all and is part of the broader effort to hit Russian revenues from maritime trade via its Shadow Fleet.”
Earlier this year, there was a series of unexplained incidents involving shadow fleet tankers. Several tankers were hit by what appeared to be mines attached to their hulls in Russia and Italy. In June, a Greek-managed crude oil tanker suffered an explosion while anchored off the coast of Libya.
No responsibility was attributed for any of the incidents, but speculation linked all the tankers to the Russian oil trade.
The two tankers struck on Friday are reported to be owned by Chinese interests and each has faced sanctions for its involvement in the Russian oil trade. Both ships are listed as registered in Gambia, but the Equasis database lists their flags as ‘unknown’ following their sale in 2025.
The tense situation prevailing in the black sea raises serious concerns within the shipping community, with seafarers once again on the front line of fire and directly at risk from the attacks.
Following the safe evacuation of the 25 crew members from the tanker KAIROS by our teams, our tugboat KURTARMA-12 and our Emergency Response Ship NENE HATUN intervened in the fire on the ship throughout the night, and firefighting and cooling efforts continue uninterrupted. /xp1kl8IyTs
— KEGM (@kiyiemniyet) November 29, 2025
