Black Sea oil tanker attacked by drone near Turkey

An oil tanker flying the Palau flag, the Elbus, was attacked in the Black Sea while en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk, according to maritime news site Lloyd’s List. The incident occurred about 30 nautical miles off the Turkish coast on Wednesday, when the vessel was struck by an unmanned marine vehicle and a drone. After the attack, the tanker made a sharp turn toward the shore.

Turkish media reported that the Coast Guard received a distress call from the ship, dispatched teams to the area, and escorted the vessel to safety. The tanker sustained damage to its upper sections, but no injuries or pollution were reported. Neither Turkish nor Russian authorities have issued a statement on the incident.

This attack is the latest in a series of assaults on commercial tankers trading with Russia in the Black Sea. Since November, at least five tankers have been targeted by suspected Ukrainian drones, including two Gambian‑flagged vessels struck off Turkey while heading to Novorossiysk. Those tankers had previously been sanctioned by Western states for violating oil‑transport restrictions imposed after the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022.

The Russian government condemned the attacks, calling them violations of the vessels’ owners’ rights and an encroachment on Turkey’s sovereignty. Moscow denied operating a “shadow fleet” and warned that such incidents could affect ongoing diplomatic efforts. Ankara also expressed concern, noting that the attacks occurred within its exclusive economic zone and posed “serious risks” to navigation and the environment.

While Kyiv has not officially claimed responsibility, several Ukrainian and Western outlets have reported that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is behind the strikes, citing sources. The episode underscores the complexities and risks of the Ukraine conflict, with potential implications for regional security and international trade. As events unfold, the responses of the involved parties and measures to prevent future incidents remain to be seen.