'Ukrainian' drone attack sets oil tanker ablaze off Sochi, all 23 Indian crew members rescued
Videos shared on social media showed bright flames on the water and thick black smoke rising into the sky near Sochi, Russisa
An alleged Ukrainian drone attack set fire to a Liberian-flagged oil tanker carrying an all-Indian crew off Russia’s Black Sea coast, the Russian Transport Ministry said. Firefighters were unable to tackle the blaze due to its intensity, but all 23 crew members were rescued.
The ministry said the tanker was attacked by “naval drones” and that “crude oil is burning openly in the waters of the Black Sea”. Firefighters will make another attempt once the fire loses intensity, it said, reported AFP.
Oil tanker catches fire off Sochi
The incident took place near Sochi, a popular resort city with almost 500,000 people. Videos shared on social media showed bright flames on the water and thick black smoke rising into the sky near the city.
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Sochi Mayor said access to the coast and beaches was being restricted after the attack.
The incident came a day after another ship caught fire and sank off the Romanian coast, killing one person and leaving another missing. Ukraine said the tanker attack was launched by Russia. One Indian crew member was injured in the incident.
Black Sea shipping faces repeated attacks
Commercial shipping in the Black Sea has come under repeated attack since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in 2022. Russia has recently struck grain vessels carrying Ukrainian goods near the coast of Romania.
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Ukraine has said its attacks on Russian oil facilities are retaliation for Moscow’s nightly strikes on Ukrainian towns and cities. Both sides have pledged to step up attacks in recent weeks.
Russia has also begun striking key bridges in Kyiv and carrying out daytime drone attacks in the capital, causing major traffic disruption.
Earlier strikes hit Russian oil facilities
Earlier Ukrainian attacks on oil facilities in southern Russia led to oil slicks and beach closures. They were also followed by reports of toxic black rain falling from the sky.
The latest incident adds to the recent attacks involving commercial vessels in the Black Sea, where the fighting has increasingly affected ships operating near the coasts of Russia, Ukraine and Romania.