Post by : Rameen Ariff

Istanbul, November 29, 2025 – Turkey has reported that an unmanned vessel attacked a Russian tanker, Virat, part of Russia’s shadow fleet, off the coast of Turkey in the Black Sea. The attack comes a day after the ship was initially struck late on Friday.

According to the Turkish Transport Ministry, the Virat suffered minor damage to its starboard side above the waterline. Authorities confirmed that the ship remains stable and the crew is safe, with no reported injuries. The ministry stated that the attack occurred approximately 35 miles offshore, but it is still unclear who was behind the incident.

This latest event is part of an ongoing pattern of tensions in the Black Sea, where unmanned vessel attacks have targeted ships linked to Russia. These attacks highlight the growing risks for commercial and military shipping in the region.

In a separate incident, Turkish authorities are continuing emergency efforts to control a fire on another Russian-bound tanker, the Kairos, which suffered an explosion earlier this week. Rescue teams evacuated 25 crew members from the 274-meter-long vessel, which had been en route to Russia’s Novorossiysk port when the explosion occurred 28 nautical miles off the Turkish coast. The fire is still being extinguished and the vessel is under careful monitoring.

Both the Virat and Kairos are reportedly included in the list of ships sanctioned against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These sanctions have increased international scrutiny on Russian shipping activities in the Black Sea.

The Black Sea has become a hotspot for maritime incidents amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The recent attacks underscore the vulnerability of sanctioned Russian vessels and the challenges faced by Turkish authorities in maintaining maritime safety and security.

The international community is closely watching these developments, as any escalation could further impact trade and navigation in the strategically important Black Sea region.

#Global