US EditionTurkey-Operated Tanker Carrying Russian Oil Hit by Marine Drone Near Bosphorus
The Altura tanker, carrying about 1 million barrels of Russian crude oil, was disabled by a marine drone attack near the Bosphorus; all 27 crew members were unharmed, Turkish officials said.
- On Thursday, March 26, 2026, an unmanned marine vessel struck the Turkish-operated oil tanker Altura near the Bosphorus Strait, damaging its engine room. Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed all 27 Turkish crew members were unharmed.
- The Altura had departed from Novorossiysk carrying roughly 1 million barrels of Russian crude oil and has been subject to European Union and United Kingdom sanctions since 2025 for its role in Russia's 'shadow fleet'.
- Uraloglu stated the attack was likely caused by an 'unmanned underwater vehicle' rather than a standard drone, targeting the engine room. Local reports place the incident approximately 15 nautical miles from the Bosphorus Strait.
- Following the radioed distress call, Turkish authorities dispatched coastguard vessels, including the Nene Hatun, to assist. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has previously warned against the Black Sea becoming an 'area of confrontation' between Russia and Ukraine.
- This incident follows a series of recent attacks on Western-sanctioned vessels heading to or from Russian ports. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced British military forces would be authorized to board shadow fleet tankers transiting United Kingdom waters.
94 Articles
94 Articles
A naval surface drone targeted a tanker in the Black Sea, causing an explosion. The attack occurred near the Turkish coast. The ship was damaged.
Tanker attacks are increasing while Ukraine wants to prevent Moscow from benefiting from the price of the barrel. More than 40% of Russian oil export capacity is at a standstill as a result of the Ukrainian strikes.
Protothema
NaftemporikiThe Turkish Foreign Ministry, through its spokesman Oncu Keçeli, is commenting on the incident, emphasizing both the seriousness of the attack and the condition of the crew.
In the Black Sea, 25 kilometres from the Strait of Bosphorus, an explosion took place on the Altura (Altura) tanker, which transported oil and followed from Russia, as reported by NTV with reference to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey, Abdulkadir Uraloglu.
The Toronto Star
Zelenskyy visits Saudi Arabia as Ukraine provides expertise against Iranian drones
Moscow needs the tankers to dodge Western sanctions and sell the oil and petroleum products that largely finance its more than 4-year invasion of Ukraine.
Turkey condemns attack on Black Sea oil tanker that departed Russia
ISTANBUL, March 26 (Reuters) - A marine drone struck a crude oil tanker that had departed Russia, causing an explosion in the Black Sea near Istanbul's Bosphorus strait on Thursday, Turkey's transportation minister said.Turkey condemned the attack, which it said targeted a Turkish-operated vessel."The attack on the Sierra Leone-flagged, Turkish-operated tanker ALTURA carrying crude oil is of great concern," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Kec…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 36% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
