Kyiv has escalated its naval campaign against Moscow’s economic lifelines, claiming a successful strike on a vessel suspected of skirting international sanctions within the Black Sea.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed that its unmanned surface vessels (USVs) intercepted and disabled a tanker transporting oil toward the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
The operation took place within Ukraine’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), marking a significant shift in Kyiv's maritime strategy from targeting military warships to disrupting the energy exports that fund the Kremlin’s war machine.
The vessel, identified as the Dashan, was reportedly travelling at top speed under the cover of darkness with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders switched off—a common tactic used by ships attempting to obscure their location and cargo.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the tanker forms part of Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet". This flotilla of ageing, often under-insured vessels is used by Moscow to bypass the G7 price cap on Russian crude oil and maintain export revenues despite Western embargoes.
“The tanker sustained critical damage to its stern following a series of explosions,” an SBU source stated. Video footage released by Kyiv appears to show the pilot's view from a sea drone moments before impact, though independent verification of the damage remains pending.
Strategic Shift in the Black Sea
This incident represents the third such strike in just two weeks, signalling a concerted effort by Ukraine to enforce a blockade on Russian energy logistics in the region.
While earlier phases of the naval war focused on forcing the Russian Black Sea Fleet away from the Crimean coast and securing the grain corridor for Ukrainian exports, this new pattern suggests Kyiv is now directly targeting the revenue streams that sustain the Russian invasion.
Novorossiysk, the tanker’s intended destination, is a critical hub for Russia's oil exports and naval logistics. By threatening commercial shipping in these waters, Ukraine effectively raises the insurance premiums and logistical risks for companies continuing to trade with Russia.
Safety and Environmental Concerns
The strike highlights the growing volatility in the Black Sea. Maritime experts have long warned that the use of unregulated "shadow" vessels poses significant environmental risks due to their poor maintenance records and lack of standard insurance.
While Ukraine has not released details regarding potential casualties among the Dashan’s crew, the use of explosive naval drones against laden oil tankers marks a high-stakes evolution in the conflict.
Russian officials have not yet commented on the status of the Dashan, though Moscow typically condemns such incidents as acts of terrorism.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian asset...
Iran has strengthened ties with regional partners and agreed a roadmap for technical talks with the U.S. aimed at securing a final peace agreement wit...
Belgium has issued 24-hour visas to a Taliban delegation attending European Union migration talks in Brussels, as EU member states explore ways to ret...
The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded more than 1,000 confirmed Ebola cases for the first time in the current outbreak, with infections rising...
Amnesty International has accused the European Union of being complicit in human rights abuses after authorities in eastern and western Libya intensif...
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
Iran has strengthened ties with regional partners and agreed a roadmap for technical talks with the U.S. aimed at securing a final peace agreement within two months.
Belgium has issued 24-hour visas to a Taliban delegation attending European Union migration talks in Brussels, as EU member states explore ways to return some Afghans convicted of serious crimes or considered security threats.
Amnesty International has accused the European Union of being complicit in human rights abuses after authorities in eastern and western Libya intensified a crackdown on migrants and refugees through mass arrests, detentions and expulsions.
At least thirteen people have died and sixty-six have been injured following an explosion at Qatar's main liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing hub at Ras Laffan, authorities said on Sunday.
Cape Verde’s remarkable FIFA World Cup debut continued on Sunday (21 June) as the tournament newcomers held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw. Goalkeeper Vozinha was once again at the centre of the story, this time with his mother watching from the stands.
Tehran has agreed to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommence inspections of its nuclear programme, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said. The U.S. and Iran have settled on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on a landmark internet deal that will allow traffic to pass through Azerbaijani networks.It's the latest deal to highlight the ongoing peace process between the two countries.
A Ukrainian strike has damaged a school building in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Amnesty International has accused the European Union of being complicit in human rights abuses after authorities in eastern and western Libya intensified a crackdown on migrants and refugees through mass arrests, detentions and expulsions.
Belgium has issued 24-hour visas to a Taliban delegation attending European Union migration talks in Brussels, as EU member states explore ways to return some Afghans convicted of serious crimes or considered security threats.
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of Scotland's governing Scottish National Party (SNP), has been jailed for five years and three months after admitting to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 13-year period
Germany is preparing for one of the most significant reforms of its pension system in decades, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz backs proposals aimed at safeguarding retirement incomes in the face of rapid demographic change.
Authorities in Russia's Omsk region have imposed limits on petrol and diesel sales as officials seek to stabilise the local market and prevent speculation amid tightening fuel supplies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment