The Russian-linked oil tanker, M/T VIRAT (Gambian-flagged), was attacked twice by Ukrainian unmanned maritime drones in the Black Sea, approximately 35 nautical miles off Turkey’s coast. The attacks, which began Friday and continued into Saturday, targeted Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network vital for moving its crude oil. Ukraine’s SBU formally claimed responsibility, stating the strike utilized Sea Baby maritime drones. A crew distress call—”This is VIRAT. Help needed! Drone attack! Mayday!”—confirmed the nature of the attack. While Turkish officials reported minor damage, Ukrainian sources assert the vessel suffered severe damage, dealing a significant blow to Russian oil transport. All crew members were reported safe.
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geopolitics: Major Blow to Russia’s Oil Transport as Sanctioned Tanker ‘Virat’ is Disabled by Ukraine
In a significant escalation targeting Moscow’s revenue, the Ukrainian SBU and Navy executed a coordinated maritime drone attack that severely damaged the M/T VIRAT, a key Gambian-flagged tanker operating within Russia’s “shadow fleet.” The vessel, previously sanctioned by the US and EU, issued a clear Mayday call confirming the “drone attack” off the Turkish coast. This series of strikes, involving Sea Baby drones, is anticipated to critically impair the logistics of Russian crude oil transportation, forcing Moscow to seek alternative, less secure methods for moving its exports despite international sanctions. The successful targeting underscores Ukraine’s growing capacity to disrupt Russian maritime operations far from its shores.
“Mayday! Drone Attack!” The Moment a Russian Tanker’s Crew Called for Help
Chaos erupted in the Black Sea as the Russian-linked oil tanker M/T VIRAT came under a fierce assault by Ukrainian unmanned maritime vehicles. The attack, claimed by Ukraine’s SBU, was preceded by a chilling distress call recorded on open frequency: “This is VIRAT. Help needed! Drone attack! Mayday!” The Gambian-flagged vessel, part of the crucial “shadow fleet” circumventing sanctions, was hit repeatedly off the Turkish coast. While all crew members were safely evacuated or accounted for, Ukrainian security sources confirm the strike has rendered the vessel inoperable, marking a pivotal moment in the naval campaign against Russia’s oil economy.
