An oil tanker, the Palau-flagged ‘Elbus’, has been attacked in the Black Sea while en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk, according to Lloyd’s List, a maritime news website. The incident occurred approximately 30 nautical miles off the Turkish coastline on Wednesday, with the tanker experiencing an unmanned marine-vehicle and drone attack. The vessel subsequently diverted from its course, making a sharp turn towards the coast.
Turkish media reports indicate that the Coast Guard received a distress call from the ship and dispatched teams to the area, escorting the vessel to the shore. The tanker is said to have sustained damage to its upper sections, although no injuries or pollution have been reported. As of now, neither Turkish nor Russian authorities have issued a statement regarding the incident.
This attack marks the latest in a series of incidents involving commercial tankers trading with Russia in the Black Sea. Since November, at least five tankers have been targeted by suspected Ukrainian drones, with two Gambian-flagged vessels being struck off the coast of Turkey while en route to Novorossiysk. These tankers had previously been sanctioned by Western states for violating restrictions on transporting oil to Russia, imposed since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
The Russian government has condemned these attacks, viewing them as a direct violation of the rights of the vessels’ owners and an encroachment on Turkey’s sovereignty. Moscow has denied operating a “shadow fleet” and has expressed concerns that such incidents could impact ongoing diplomatic efforts. Similarly, Ankara has voiced concerns about the attacks, which occurred within its exclusive economic zone, posing “serious risks” to navigation and the environment.
While Kiev has not officially claimed responsibility for the strikes, several Ukrainian and Western news outlets have reported that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is behind the attacks, citing sources. The ongoing situation highlights the complexities and risks associated with the conflict in Ukraine, with potential implications for regional security and international trade. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the involved parties will respond and what measures will be taken to prevent future incidents.
