Ukraine Drone Attack Hits Oil Tanker With 23 Indian Crew Members Onboard

A Ukrainian drone attack set fire to a Liberian-flagged oil tanker near Russia’s Black Sea coast. The tanker carried 23 Indian crew members, whom Russian officials said rescuers successfully evacuated.

Russian transport authorities said intense flames prevented firefighters from immediately controlling the dangerous blaze. Officials reported that naval drones struck the vessel while crude oil burned openly across surrounding waters. Firefighters planned another attempt after the flames weakened enough to allow safer firefighting operations. The incident occurred near Sochi, a popular Russian resort city with nearly 500,000 residents. Videos shared online showed bright flames burning offshore while thick black smoke rose above Sochi.

Also Read : Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down After 10 Years as India’s World Cup-Winning Captain

Black Sea Shipping Faces Growing Risks as Russia-Ukraine Attacks Intensify

Sochi officials restricted access to nearby beaches and coastal areas following the attack and resulting fire. The attack followed another maritime incident that killed one person and left another missing. That vessel caught fire and sank near Romania, according to reports from regional authorities. Ukraine claimed Russia launched the earlier attack, which also injured one Indian crew member. Both Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly targeted commercial vessels operating around the Black Sea since 2022. Russia recently attacked grain ships carrying Ukrainian cargo near Romania, a member of the European Union.

Ukraine defends attacks against Russian oil infrastructure as retaliation for Moscow’s repeated attacks on Ukrainian cities. Both countries have recently promised to intensify their strikes as fighting continues across the region. Russia has increased attacks on important bridges in Kyiv while launching daytime drone strikes against the capital. These attacks represent a new Russian tactic that has caused severe traffic congestion across Kyiv. Earlier Ukrainian attacks against Russian oil facilities created oil slicks and forced authorities to close beaches. Those attacks also produced reports of toxic black rain falling across parts of southern Russia. The latest tanker fire highlights growing risks facing commercial shipping throughout the increasingly dangerous Black Sea.

Also Read : Tata Trusts Given Until October 12 to Respond to Venu Srinivasan’s Governance Complaint