Ukraine has expanded its campaign against Russia’s “shadow fleet,” hitting at least two sanctioned oil tankers outside Russian waters, according to reporting from CBS News. Kyiv used Sea Baby naval drones to strike the crude carriers Kairos and Virat in the Black Sea, Ukrainian intelligence sources said.
Ukraine reportedly targets Russia's shadow fleet in foreign waters as sanctions fail to sink Putin's oil sales https://t.co/BGB4HmVxxr
— CBS Miami (@CBSMiami) December 10, 2025
The attacks, aimed at disrupting Russia’s sanction-evading oil sales, allegedly disabled ships capable of moving nearly $70 million in crude.
Bulgaria confirmed the Kairos later ran aground off its coast after separating from a Turkish tug. Crews were evacuated, but rescue efforts were stalled by bad weather.
Ukraine's shadow-fleet strategy is working faster than expected.
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) December 9, 2025
After just two tankers destroyed in the Black Sea and one damaged off Senegal, Besiktas Shipping pulled all 15 of its tankers from Russian routes. The company controlled several hundred thousand tons of annual… pic.twitter.com/BSlSnBnZM0
A third tanker, the Mersin, was reportedly hit by explosions off Senegal days earlier. The ship later appeared to sink, though Ukrainian officials have not confirmed involvement.
The strikes come as Europe and the U.S. struggle to curb Russia’s opaque fleet, which Western officials accuse of sanctions evasion, covert intelligence work and sabotage across multiple regions.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
