Black Sea tankers may have been hit by mines, missiles or drones, a Turkish official says
Summary
Two oil tankers part of Russia's shadow fleet were struck off Turkey's Black Sea coast, possibly by mines, drones, or missiles, with all crew members reported safe. The incident has raised concerns about sanctions evasion and maritime security in the region.
Key Points
- Two oil tankers, Kairos and Virat, linked to Russia's shadow fleet, were struck off Turkey's Black Sea coast possibly by mines, drones, or missiles.
- All crew members of both tankers were safely evacuated with no casualties reported.
- Both tankers are under international sanctions for evading sanctions against Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
- Turkish authorities responded swiftly and are coordinating to ensure navigational safety and prevent recurrence.