US EditionBlasts hit sanctioned tankers off Turkey's coast, rescues underway
Two sanctioned Russian tankers, Kairos and Virat, suffered explosions likely caused by mines or unmanned vehicles, with all 45 crew members safely rescued, Turkish officials said.
- On Friday, two heavily sanctioned tankers, Kairos and Virat, were damaged in near-simultaneous explosions in the Black Sea, prompting Turkey's Maritime Affairs Directorate to launch rescue operations.
- Turkish officials said an external impact likely caused the Kairos blaze, citing mines, rockets or drones, and noted both vessels are used by Russia's shadow fleet, according to authorities.
- Kairos, a 274-metre Suezmax tanker, exploded about 28 nautical miles off Kocaeli province, Turkey, and its 25 crew were evacuated after a fire while sailing empty toward Novorossiysk, Russia.
- Authorities said shipping remained open while both tankers sustained critical damage, removing them from service and dealing a blow to Russian oil transport through the Bosphorus Strait.
- The incidents echo earlier mystery explosions and ongoing mine risks, as Ukraine's security service claimed underwater drones struck two tankers, while floating mines remain a persistent hazard.
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Both vessels are part of a Russian shadow fleet, which, according to the OpenSanctions database, is being used to circumvent sanctions against Moscow.
Russian shadow fleet tanker explodes in Black Sea after Ukraine drone strike
Two Russian sea tankers exploded into fireballs after they were hit by a coordinated Ukraine drone attack in the Black Sea. The coordinated attacks are believed to have been carried out by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and Ukraine’s navy on Friday (28 November), according to an official. A streak of orange flames and black, billowing smoke can be seen coming from the ship after the strike. Türkiye's rescue units rescued all 20 staff of th…
Turkish official says Black Sea tankers may have been hit by mines, missiles or drones - The Morning Sun
ISTANBUL (AP) — Two oil tankers said to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” that were set ablaze off Turkey’s Black Sea coast may have been hit by mines, drones or missiles, a senior Turkish official said Saturday. Tankers Kairos and Virat were struck in quick succession late Friday afternoon, prompting rescue operations. Crew members on board both vessels were reported to be safe. Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu…
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