Title: Russian Tanker Damaged in Ukrainian Attack in the Black Sea
Date: 5 August 2023, 02:30 BST
Updated: 5 August 2023, 03:00 BST
A Russian tanker with 11 crew members has reportedly been hit in a Ukrainian attack in the Black Sea, according to Russian maritime officials. The attack occurred in the Kerch Strait, with the vessel’s engine room sustaining damage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The Russian maritime transport agency identified the vessel as the Sig tanker and stated that the attack was likely carried out by a naval drone. Earlier reports from Russian military bloggers also pointed towards a Ukrainian drone being involved in the incident. Witnesses from nearby coastal villages claimed to have heard a large explosion.
As of now, Ukraine has not made any public comments regarding the attack. However, research by BBC Verify suggests that Ukraine has previously carried out several attacks with sea drones, including one on a Russian ship just last Friday.
Russia’s state-run Tass news agency quoted an official from the country’s regional Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) saying that two tugs had already reached the scene to provide assistance. The official confirmed that the engine room suffered damage but assured that it was not significant.
RosMorRechFlot, Russia’s maritime transport agency, later revealed that the vessel had sustained a hole “in the area of engine room near the waterline from the starboard side, presumably as a result of an attack by a sea drone.” Fortunately, the ship remained afloat.
The Kerch Strait, which separates Crimea and Russia’s Taman peninsula, serves as a crucial passage connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Russian media reported that lighting on the Crimean Bridge, further north of the attack, was turned off and traffic halted due to warnings of an impending attack.
If this attack is confirmed, it would be the latest in a series of drone attacks in the area. Video footage has emerged allegedly showing the drone striking the Olenegorsky Gornyak large landing ship, while another unverified video depicted a heavily listing vessel being towed to port.
Russia’s defense ministry stated that it had repelled a Ukrainian attack on its naval base in Novorossiysk, which involved two sea drones. However, they did not acknowledge any damages incurred during the incident.
Clashes in the sea have escalated in recent weeks following Russia’s withdrawal from a major UN deal facilitating the safe export of grain between Russia and Ukraine across the Black Sea. Ukrainian ports have been targeted by Russian drones and missiles, prompting threats of retaliation from Kyiv.
In a separate development, Saudi Arabia will host talks on Saturday to discuss the resolution of the war in Ukraine. Invitations have been extended to approximately 30 countries, excluding Russia, for the meeting in Jeddah, a city on the Red Sea coast.
It is worth noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin instigated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, further exacerbating the tension between the two nations.