Ukraine attacked two Russian oil tankers hours before drones targeted Novorossiysk terminal.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium halted operations after sea drones hit the terminal around 4AM, local media reported.
Naval drones struck two tankers in the Black Sea, prompting Kyiv to claim responsibility for the strikes.
Tanker Explosions Prompt Immediate Rescue
Rescue teams evacuated the crews after the attacks triggered extensive emergency operations.
The Gambia-flagged Kairos exploded and caught fire 28 nautical miles off Kocaeli while sailing empty to Novorossiysk.
Authorities reported a second tanker, the Virat, struck 35 nautical miles off the Turkish coast shortly after.
Both vessels appear on sanctions lists and form part of Russia’s aging fleet that evades international oil restrictions.
Sanctions and Strategic Drone Operations
OpenSanctions reports the US sanctioned Virat in January, later joined by the EU, Switzerland, UK, and Canada.
The EU sanctioned Kairos in July, followed by the UK and Switzerland.
A Ukrainian security official said Kyiv deployed domestically built Sea Baby drones carrying oil worth over €60 million.
The official, speaking anonymously, confirmed Ukrainian intelligence continues actively limiting Russia’s financial ability to fund the war.
