The Russian oil tanker ‘Virat’ sustained a strike from an underwater unmanned drone deployed by Ukraine in the Black Sea on Saturday. This marked the second attack on the vessel, following Friday’s initial blast. CNN reported that Russia’s shadow fleet was targeted by the drone, citing a Ukrainian security services (SBU) official, with Ukraine officially acknowledging the operation.
The tanker’s crew broadcast an open-frequency radio distress call reporting a “drone attack,” referring to unmanned maritime drones. In the recorded call, a crew member stated: “This is VIRAT. Help needed! Drone attack! Mayday!”.
According to a Turkish transport ministry statement posted on X, “The Virat, which was previously said to have been attacked by unmanned maritime vehicles approximately 35 nautical miles off the Black Sea coastline, was attacked again by unmanned maritime vehicles early this morning”.
Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu noted investigators were examining evidence of external impact, explaining: “An external impact means the vessel was hit by a mine, a rocket, or a similar projectile, or perhaps by a drone, or by an unmanned underwater vehicle. These are the first things that come to mind”.
Despite minor damage, the Virat remains stable, with all crew members confirmed safe and healthy.
OSINTdefender, an open source intelligence monitoring X account, cited the Turkish Transport Ministry, reporting the Gambian-flagged tanker M/T VIRAT, connected to the “Russian shadow fleet,” was struck again by uncrewed surface vessels in the southern Black Sea. Twenty crew members were evacuated following Friday’s initial attack, with the vessel now reportedly burning and sinking off Turkey’s coast.
CNN quoted a Ukrainian security source confirming the strike involved Sea Baby maritime drones in a coordinated SBU-navy operation.
Russia has issued no immediate response. According to the source, both vessels sustained severe damage and were effectively rendered inoperable. “This will deal a significant blow to the transportation of Russian oil”. Moscow depends on an extensive tanker network, many registered under flags of convenience, to transport crude despite sanctions.
Turkish maritime officials reported only limited damage to the Virat above the waterline and confirmed no fire occurred.
The ship was positioned roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) off Turkey’s coast, with tracking data later showing it reducing speed and changing course toward land on Friday. According to CNN, the tanker’s intended destination remained unclear, with maritime records indicating it had been awaiting orders in the Black Sea.
Previously operating under a different name, the Virat was sanctioned by the US in January, followed by similar measures from the UK and European Union later in the year.
In a separate Friday incident nearby, an explosion struck another vessel transporting Russian crude, the Gambian-flagged Kairos. All 25 crew members were safely evacuated. Neither the Kairos nor the Virat was inside Turkish territorial waters during the attacks.
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