A Ukrainian drone attack set a Liberian-flagged oil tanker carrying 23 Indian crew members on fire off Russia’s Black Sea coast near Sochi, the Russian Transport Ministry said. All crew members were rescued, while firefighters initially struggled to contain the intense blaze.
Tanker Catches Fire Near Sochi
The tanker was reportedly hit by “naval drones”, causing crude oil onboard to catch fire. Videos and photographs circulating online showed bright flames and thick black smoke rising from the vessel offshore.
The fire was too intense for firefighters to immediately approach, with authorities planning another attempt to control it after the flames weakened.
Sochi authorities restricted access to parts of the coast and beaches following the incident. The city, a major Russian resort on the Black Sea, has a population of nearly 500,000.
Black Sea Shipping Faces Growing Risks
The incident came a day after another ship caught fire and sank off Romania, killing one person and leaving another missing. Ukraine said Russia had launched the attack, and one Indian crew member was reportedly injured.
Commercial shipping in the Black Sea has faced increasing risks since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Russia has recently targeted grain vessels carrying Ukrainian goods near Romania, while Ukraine has defended attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as retaliation for Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities.
Both Moscow and Kyiv have threatened to intensify attacks. Russia has also increased drone strikes on Kyiv and targeted key bridges, causing major disruption and traffic congestion.
The latest tanker fire has further highlighted the dangers facing commercial shipping in the Black Sea amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
