Ukraine targeted two oil tankers hours before a major Russian terminal suffered a drone attack.
Sea drones hit the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Novorossiysk around 4AM, forcing a temporary shutdown.
Local media confirmed the assault, marking a significant escalation in regional energy infrastructure attacks.
Rescue Efforts Save Tanker Crews
Coast guard and rescue teams evacuated all crew members after the explosions and fires on both vessels.
The Gambia-flagged Kairos ignited and exploded 28 nautical miles off Kocaeli while traveling empty to Novorossiysk.
Authorities reported the Virat suffered drone damage about 35 nautical miles from the Turkish coastline.
Officials identified both ships as part of Russia’s older fleet used to bypass international oil sanctions.
Sanctions and Intelligence Drive Ongoing Operations
OpenSanctions reports the US sanctioned Virat in January, followed by the EU, UK, Switzerland, and Canada.
The EU imposed sanctions on Kairos in July, with the UK and Switzerland following later.
A Ukrainian security official said Kyiv deployed Sea Baby naval drones to hit tankers carrying over €60 million in oil.
The official, speaking anonymously, emphasized intelligence operations continue actively to block Russia’s war funding.
