video screenshot

 

Ukraine's naval drones have targeted two Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea, which represents an important turning point in the conflict. The vessels, part of Russia's "shadow fleet," were hit by waterborne drones, resulting in fiery explosions and plumes of black smoke. The tankers, named Kairos and Virat, were flagged for Gambia and attacked near the Turkish coast, with Virat reportedly striking again a day later.

 

These actions highlight Ukraine's intensified efforts to disrupt Russia's oil revenues, crucial for funding its war efforts. The so-called "shadow fleet" comprises aged tankers used by Russia to evade Western sanctions imposed after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The BBC has verified footage of the attacks, using Sea Baby drones produced by Ukraine's security services.

 

Turkish authorities have been actively assisting the impacted vessels and disseminated footage of attempts to extinguish fires on the Kairos. This aggressive move by Ukraine is interpreted as a firm warning, illustrating the real dangers for ships linked to Russian oil operating in the Black Sea, beyond just sanctions.

 

In a related development, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium has halted oil loading in Russia's Novorossiysk port following an overnight drone attack that damaged a mooring point. This group includes significant Russian and Kazakh interests, alongside major Western companies like Exxon Mobil and Shell.

 

As diplomatic efforts continue, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a delegation is en route to the US for further peace negotiations. Rustem Umerov will lead discussions, succeeding Andriy Yermak, who resigned following a search of his apartment by anti-corruption authorities. The Ukrainian team is scheduled to meet US officials in Florida, while American envoy Steve Witkoff plans talks in Moscow next week, reported the BBC.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian tankers underscore a strategic escalation in the Black Sea.
• The incidents demonstrate Ukraine's resolve to target Russian oil operations despite maritime risks.
• Ongoing diplomatic movements indicate a parallel pursuit of conflict resolution through international dialogue.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-11-30

 

 

 

Great , more pollution of sea and air.

 

Brave action but will make Putin angrier. He has cannon fodder to feed the Frontline so it isn't going to stop him.

Brilliant. Destruction to the Russian Empire is a huge moral victory for mankind. Keep it up guys. Down with the Kremlin. 

Retaliation by Ukrain against the aggresion from Russia is welcome news. 

Time to retaliate , bomb the Odessa oil terminal.

And all tankers that go or leave there.

The oil and gas terminal of the OMTP is the biggest one in Ukraine and sometimes is referred to as the OMTP Oil District.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Odesa

Kazakhstan isn't too happy either :

 

Kazakhstan Angrily Calls On Ukraine To Stop Black Sea Oil Terminal Attacks

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/kazakhstan-angrily-calls-ukraine-stop-black-sea-oil-terminal-attacks

 

Maybe send some troops to help Russia .

The Russian Stavka does not automatically act upon intelligence it possesses.  But bides its time, awaiting the most appropriate moment.  They are thoughtful rather than impulsive.  Chess-players.  Western leaders might learn from them.

 

INSANE Bloodbath in NIKOLAYEV: Russia Wiped Out Ten Highly Qualified BRITISH Military Engineers

 

So many cards!

7 minutes ago, ericbj said:

The Russian Stavka does not automatically act upon intelligence it possesses.  But bides its time, awaiting the most appropriate moment.  They are thoughtful rather than impulsive.  Chess-players.  Western leaders might learn from them.

 

INSANE Bloodbath in NIKOLAYEV: Russia Wiped Out Ten Highly Qualified BRITISH Military Engineers

 

Sounds like you might be a major fanboy. 

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Sounds like you might be a major fanboy. 

I favour where possiible acquiring an understanding of a given situation.  That involves being open to conflicting sources of information. often promoting different narratives.

Empty tanker on it's way to fill up to take oil, fuel or whatever to maybe China or India. Be interesting to see if the grey fleet continues to be hit.

The incidents, he noted, occurred within Turkiye’s exclusive economic zone, and Ankara was coordinating with regional counterparts to reduce future risks and keep shipping lanes safe.

 

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/ukraines-naval-drones-strike-russian-tankers-in-black-sea-off-turkiye-coast

 

 

Do the Turks have bigger balls than the vassal Germans?

 

Invoke NATO Treaty Article 5 to respond to Nazi aggression. 

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Empty tanker on it's way to fill up to take oil, fuel or whatever to maybe China or India. Be interesting to see if the grey fleet continues to be hit.

Yes, interesting.
HOPEFULLY so.

Putin intentionally murders Ukrainian civilians every day and night.

Ukraine goes for strategic to the war targets.

4 hours ago, FlorC said:

Time to retaliate , bomb the Odessa oil terminal.

And all tankers that go or leave there.

The oil and gas terminal of the OMTP is the biggest one in Ukraine and sometimes is referred to as the OMTP Oil District.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Odesa

Your leader needs that infrastructure to steal Ukrainian resources……

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Your leader needs that infrastructure to steal Ukrainian resources……

"Does Ukraine produce oil and gas?
"Yes. But the country also depends heavily on energy imports. Exploration and production company Naftogaz is Ukraine’s largest state-owned entity. Ukraine produced 19 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2020, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy. The country does not produce significant amounts of oil."

[source: https://www.naturalgasintel.com/questions/does-ukraine-produce-oil-and-gas/ ]

 

So it looks like Odessa's OMTP Oil Terminal is used for imports of oil not exports.  If Russia gains access to the Ukraine's total oil production there will be nothing to export.  And if future developments involved Russia exporting oil to Ukraine, there already exists a pipeline which is currently unused.

 

Some additional info on Ukrainian naval drone attacks:

 

"Kazakhstan on November 30 told Ukraine to stop making 'unacceptable' attacks on the Russian Black Sea coast terminal that handles the big majority of its oil exports and more than 1% of global oil. It spoke out following a major sea drone attack that damaged loading infrastructure and led to the halting of export shipments.
" 'We view what has occurred as an action harming the bilateral relations of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine, and we expect the Ukrainian side to take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future,' the Kazakh energy ministry said.
"The ministry pointed out that the attacked Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) oil export facility in the vicinity of Novorossiysk was an international energy project. Any forceful action against it posed direct risks to global energy security and caused “significant damage” to the interests of the consortium participants, it said.
"CPC’s shareholders include Chevron, ExxonMobil, state-owned KazMunayGas and Russia’s Transneft, which participates on behalf of the Russian Federation."

[source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/international-relations/kazakhstan-tells-ukraine-to-cease-unacceptable-attacks-on-its-main-oil-export-facility-on-russian-black-sea-coast/ar-AA1Rtb73 ]

18 hours ago, FlorC said:

Great , more pollution of sea and air.

 

 

Well, the tankers were clearly empty, which limits pollution a bit, and far less than the vast amounts of oil Russia has released into the Black Sea, without any help from Ukraine, thanks to the Russians being cheap skates and putting to sea in either worn out old tankers, or using tankers designed for river navigation on the open sea. Is that the best a Super Power can do?

 

eg

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8dq6q0m862o

 

Alternative link for those suffering from BDS

 

https://tass.com/emergencies/1897777

15 hours ago, ericbj said:

I favour where possiible acquiring an understanding of a given situation.  That involves being open to conflicting sources of information. often promoting different narratives.

Yes the Kremlin sponsored Russia Today has some very objective reporting from what I hear. 

17 hours ago, FlorC said:

Kazakhstan isn't too happy either :

 

Kazakhstan Angrily Calls On Ukraine To Stop Black Sea Oil Terminal Attacks

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/kazakhstan-angrily-calls-ukraine-stop-black-sea-oil-terminal-attacks

 

Maybe send some troops to help Russia .

Mark it up against the perils of being a vassal state.

Oh dear, sounds like someone has been ignoring Greta. 😄

 

https://www.brusselstimes.com/579975/ukraine-greta-thunberg-highlights-the-environmental-damage-caused-by-the-conflict

 

 

 

Let us not forget , just one solitary man living in a bubble of delusion has the power to stop all this killing and destruction. But he won't . His miserable face and continued presence at the top is at stake.