Title: Ukrainian Naval Drone Strikes Russian Tanker near Crimea, Escalating Tensions in the Black Sea
Date: [Insert Date]
In a recent incident highlighting escalating tensions in the Black Sea, a Ukrainian naval drone targeted a Russian oil tanker off the occupied Crimean Peninsula on Saturday. This marks the second such attack on Russian ships by Ukrainian sea drones in just two days, according to Ukrainian and Russian officials.
Despite sustaining damage to its engine room, the targeted tanker remained afloat with no reported oil spillage or injuries to the crew, as confirmed by Russia’s Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport on its Telegram channel. Vasyl Malyuk, the head of Ukraine’s Security Service, took responsibility for the attack and declared that Ukraine’s forces would continue targeting any ships assisting the Russian war effort.
The attack took place near the Kerch Strait Bridge, a crucial link connecting Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. Malyuk further emphasized Ukraine’s determination to assault the bridge until Russian forces fully withdraw from Ukrainian territories.
This incident follows Russia’s claims in July that Ukraine had targeted the Kerch Strait Bridge itself using sea drones.
The latest attack represents Ukraine’s ongoing challenge to Moscow’s control over the Black Sea. Just a day earlier, Ukrainian forces displayed their expanding maritime capabilities by striking a Russian naval vessel near the port of Novorossiysk, situated more than 400 miles from Ukraine-held shores.
According to Russia’s federal agency, the damaged vessel on Saturday was identified as the oil and chemical tanker Sig. It was reportedly approaching the Kerch Strait Bridge from the south, carrying a crew of 11 individuals. Some Russian sources, including popular pro-war blog Rybar, suggest that the tanker had recently returned from delivering oil to Syria.
On Friday morning, another incident took place near Novorossiysk, involving a Ukrainian naval drone striking a Ropucha-class landing ship belonging to Russia. Verified photographs and videos by The New York Times depicted the vessel listing to its port side. Three Ukrainian officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that the attack in Novorossiysk was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Navy.
As tensions continue to rise between Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea region, these recent drone attacks emphasize the heightened military capabilities of Ukraine’s uncrewed vessels and the persistent struggle for control over strategically significant areas.
The international community now faces the urgent task of defusing the tensions and finding diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation in the region.