Attacks on Ships in the Black Sea During the Russia-Ukraine War Process (2025)

In 2025, between 28 November and 2 December, a series of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) targeted commercial oil tankers in the Black Sea within the context of the Russia-Ukraine war. According to Ukrainian security services, these attacks struck the Gambian-flagged KAIROS and VIRAT tankers within Türkiye’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on 28 November 2025, while the MIDVOLGA-2 tanker, carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Georgia, was attacked on 2 December 2025 in international waters 80 nautical miles from the coast.

After the explosion on the KAIROS, a fire broke out; the VIRAT was struck, and the crews of both vessels were evacuated by Turkish search and rescue units. The MIDVOLGA-2 continued its journey toward Sinop using its own resources. No casualties were reported in any of the incidents. Türkiye stated that the attacks posed a “serious risk to navigation, life, property, and environmental safety,” and condemned them as “terrorist acts” by Russia.

First Attacks: KAIROS and VIRAT Tankers

Date and Location of the Attacks

On 28 November 2025, two Gambian-flagged tankers, KAIROS and VIRAT, were targeted by unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in international waters of the Black Sea. Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, confirmed that the incidents occurred within Türkiye’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and that both vessels were en route to Russia’s Novorossiysk Port.

At the time of the attacks, KAIROS was approximately 45 kilometers offshore, and VIRAT was 35 nautical miles from the coast. Turkish maritime authorities dispatched rescue and emergency response vessels to the incident locations.

KAIROS Tanker

The tanker KAIROS, while sailing in the Black Sea on 28 November 2025, caught fire following an external explosion. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, reported that the fire occurred while the vessel was empty and that the incident took place along its route toward Novorossiysk Port, Russia.

Under the coordination of the Coast Guard General Directorate, the fast evacuation boats KEGM-10 and KEGM-9, the tugboat KURTARMA-12, and the emergency response vessel NENE HATUN were dispatched to the area. The entire crew of 25 was safely evacuated.

Efforts to extinguish the fire continued between 29 and 30 November 2025. In a written statement issued by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure on 30 November 2025, it was confirmed that “the fire on the vessel KAIROS has been fully extinguished.” The statement also noted: “Discussions with the vessel’s owner regarding beaching the ship are ongoing. The recovery operation for the vessel VIRAT is still in progress, and it is planned to dock the vessel at Türkeli Port by noon tomorrow.”

Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) officials stated that sea drones were used in the attack and that the targeted tankers were part of Russia’s sanctioned “shadow fleet.”

KAIROS tanker, 30 November 2025 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

VIRAT Tanker

The attack on the VIRAT tanker occurred on 29 November 2025 in the Black Sea, approximately 35 nautical miles offshore. In its official statement, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure noted: “The condition of the 20 crew members is good; dense smoke has been detected in the engine room.”

Following the incident, Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated: “Following the explosions on the empty oil tankers KAIROS and VIRAT in the Black Sea, operations are being conducted in full coordination with the relevant institutions.” As a result of the operation to tow the vessel, VIRAT was directed toward Türkeli Port and, as of 1 December 2025, had reached the waters off Sarıyer.

On 29 November, immediately after the initial attack, the VIRAT was struck again by unmanned surface vehicles the following day, sustaining minor damage on the port side above the waterline. Turkish authorities reported that the vessel was in “stable condition” and that the crew’s health was unaffected.

The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, in its post-incident assessment, stated: “There is no fire or emergency situation on board. No request for crew evacuation has been made.”

Attack on the MIDVOLGA-2 Tanker

On 2 December 2025, a third tanker attack occurred in the Black Sea. Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, reported that the MIDVOLGA-2 tanker, carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Georgia, was attacked in international waters 80 nautical miles from the coast.

The Directorate’s public statement included the following: “The MIDVOLGA-2 tanker reported being attacked 80 nautical miles from our coast while en route from Russia to Georgia with a cargo of sunflower oil. There are no adverse conditions among its 13 crew members, and the vessel has not requested assistance. The ship is continuing its journey toward Sinop using its own propulsion.”

No injuries or casualties occurred as a result of the attack, and the vessel continued its voyage under its own power. Turkish maritime authorities confirmed they remained in communication with the ship.

Turkish officials stated that the vessel was proceeding toward Sinop Port. This attack marked the third incident in the Black Sea within three days, following the attacks on the two Russia-linked tankers on 28–29 November.

Ukraine’s Claim of Responsibility and Statements

Ukraine has claimed responsibility for the tanker attacks in the Black Sea at the end of November 2025. Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) sources stated that the attacks were a joint operation by the SBU and the Ukrainian Navy. A Ukrainian security official confirmed that Sea Baby-type sea drones were used in the attacks, targeting a network of tankers employed by Russia to circumvent sanctions and referred to as the “shadow fleet.”

Ukrainian sources indicated that the attacks were not limited to maritime oil transport but also targeted the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal off Novorossiysk. According to Reuters, the terminal’s “single-point mooring” connection was struck by unmanned surface vehicles, temporarily halting loading operations.

Türkiye’s Responses and Diplomatic Initiatives

On 30 November 2025, Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement expressing concern over the targeting of the KAIROS and VIRAT tankers in the Black Sea. Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli emphasized that the incidents occurred within Türkiye’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), stating: “These events occurring within our Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea have created serious risks to navigation, life, property, and environmental safety.”

Keçeli stated that Türkiye continues to maintain contact with relevant parties and is undertaking necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent the war from spreading to the Black Sea. The statement also affirmed Türkiye’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding economic activities and energy transportation in the region.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a speech on 1 December 2025, addressed the attacks in the Black Sea, stating: “It is evident that the Russia-Ukraine war has reached a scale that clearly threatens maritime safety in the Black Sea.” Erdoğan added: “On Friday, the targeting of commercial vessels in our Exclusive Economic Zone signaled a worrying escalation. We cannot under any circumstances justify these attacks that threaten navigation, life, and environmental safety within our own Exclusive Zone.”

Russian Federation’s Statements

Following the tanker attacks in the Black Sea on 28–29 November, the Russian Federation accused Ukraine. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson María Zakharova, in a written statement on 30 November 2025, reported that the KAIROS and VIRAT tankers were struck by unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) while sailing in international waters.

Zakharova noted that both vessels were flying the Gambian flag and were en route to Novorossiysk Port when they were attacked on 28–29 November. She also claimed that Ukrainian security services had indirectly claimed responsibility by sharing footage of the attacks on Ukrainian media.

The statement included the following: “The special services of the Kiev regime have publicly admitted to carrying out terrorist acts by sharing footage of the attacks on Ukrainian media. We strongly condemn these terrorist attacks and all parties involved in their planning and execution.”

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs further stated that the attacks in the Black Sea posed a threat to maritime navigation. Zakharova added: “This constitutes a threat to maritime navigation.”