Naval drone hits oil tanker off Russian resort city Sochi, triggering massive blaze
Russia’s transport ministry said a naval drone hit an oil tanker off the Black Sea coast near Sochi. The vessel caught fire, sending thick smoke over parts of the resort city.
The ship was registered in Liberia and had 23 Indian nationals aboard, according to Russian officials. They were rescued. Fire crews were waiting for conditions to improve before approaching the tanker.
The strike adds to growing danger for commercial shipping in the Black Sea, where Russia and Ukraine have targeted vessels during the conflict. Russia has also recently attacked ships carrying Ukrainian grain near Romania.
The incident came as Bulgaria reported that drones had hit two commercial ships in its Black Sea exclusive economic zone. The country’s prime minister called the attack a breach of maritime law.
Separately, Kyiv came under Russian attack early Wednesday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a major strike. News agencies reported explosions and two deaths; the city has faced repeated attacks on transport and energy infrastructure as winter nears.
Key points
- A drone strike set fire to a Liberian-flagged tanker off Sochi.
- Russian officials said all 23 Indian crew members were rescued.
- Bulgaria also reported drone attacks on two commercial vessels in its Black Sea zone.