Black Sea Shipping Under Fire: Ukrainian Forces Target Russian and Foreign Tankers

The Midvolga 2 oil tanker, registered at the Big Port of Saint Petersburg and sailing under the Russian flag, was attacked in the Black Sea. The vessel, carrying vegetable oil and bound for Georgia, came under strike approximately 80 miles (148 kilometers) off the Turkish coast.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey, there were 13 crew members on board. None were injured, and no one requested assistance. Following the attack, the vessel proceeded independently to the port of Sinop.

Recent Wave of Attacks on Black Sea Tankers

This is not the first such incident. Last week, two Gambian-flagged oil tankers — Kairos and Virat - en route to Russia were struck off the Turkish coast. The latter was hit twice. Official statements described both incidents as "external impacts.”

Responsibility was claimed by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Navy, which reportedly used long-range unmanned Sea Baby boats. No fewer than five were involved.

In October, Ukraine unveiled upgraded Sea Baby models with enhanced range and payload. The new versions reportedly exceed 1,500 kilometers in operating distance and can carry up to two tons. Kyiv showcased two configurations: one with a gyro-stabilized machine-gun mount and another equipped with ten launch tubes from a Grad multiple rocket system. The drones are also capable of deploying small reconnaissance UAVs.

Western Analysts Debate Motives Behind the Attacks

Zoltan Koskovich, analyst at the Hungarian Center for Fundamental Rights, described the attacks as a form of "environmental terrorism.” He argued that President Volodymyr Zelensky seeks to disrupt ongoing efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.

"Zelensky's piracy and environmental terrorism are a last and desperate attempt to prevent his own downfall and derail the peace plan.”
— Zoltan Koskovich, Center for Fundamental Rights

He added that the strikes further weaken the Ukrainian leader's position. "As the noose tightens around Zelensky in every sense, the Ukrainian Armed Forces blow up tankers. This brutal escalation serves only one purpose — to stall a peaceful resolution,” Koskovich concluded.

Turkish Military Figures Call for a Response

In turn, retired Turkish Navy Rear Admiral Cem Gürdeniz urged Ankara to respond to the actions of the Ukrainian military.

"Against the backdrop of Turkey's efforts to secure grain shipments, attempts by Kyiv and its allies to "punish' Turkish vessels and stage provocative attacks on the Turkish shelf are unacceptable.”
— Cem Gürdeniz, retired Turkish Rear Admiral

He stressed that Turkey "cannot ignore such incidents” and must respond appropriately, guided by national interests and international law.

Erdogan Condemns Strikes on Black Sea Shipping

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply condemned the Ukrainian attacks on tankers, calling them a deliberate threat to civilian navigation within Turkey's exclusive economic zone.

"The conflict between Russia and Ukraine now threatens navigation in the Black Sea. We cannot in any way justify attacks on vessels inside our exclusive zone.”
— President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Official Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli added that the incident posed serious risks to maritime safety, human life, property and the environment across the region.