Ukrainian Naval Drones Hit Russia’s Shadow Fleet in Black Sea
Ukrainian naval drones, dubbed Sea Baby, struck two sanctioned Russian oil tankers, Kairos and Virat, in the Black Sea, according to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) source told Kyiv Independent.
Explosions reportedly hit the vessels on Friday and Saturday. The operation was carried out jointly by the 13th Main Counterintelligence Directorate of the SBU and the Ukrainian Navy.
Video circulating on social media captures the strike, showing both tankers sustaining severe damage.
The SBU said the ships were part of Moscow’s shadow fleet used to evade sanctions and transport oil worth up to $70 million.
The SBU described the joint operation as a “significant blow” to Russia’s oil transport network.
In October, the SBU unveiled a new generation of Sea Baby surface drones for operations in the Black Sea. The drones can travel over 1,500 kilometers, carry up to two tons of cargo, and are equipped with powerful engines and advanced navigation systems.
