Ukraine on Wednesday crashed an oil tanker belonging to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea, according to a Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) official.
A Ukrainian security official told CNN that the SeaBaby maritime drone was used in joint operations by the SBU and the navy. This was the third attack on a Russian tanker in two weeks.
Russia uses hundreds of tankers flying various flags to secretly transport oil to customers in defiance of Western sanctions.
The Dashan tanker, flying the flag of the Comoros Islands, sustained “significant damage” and preliminary information suggested the vessel was “disabled”. There was no immediate comment from Russia.
Video obtained by CNN shows a Sea Baby drone dove beneath the tanker before a series of explosions occurred in the tanker’s stern area. Thick smoke engulfs the tanker.
It was not immediately clear what kind of cargo the ship was carrying or whether the strike caused the oil spill.
SBU officials said the ship had its transponder turned off and was traveling at top speed in Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone when it was struck.
The official added that the ship was sailing towards the Novorossiysk port terminal, an important Russian oil hub.
The port was damaged last month when Ukraine attacked one of Moscow’s biggest oil export facilities. The attack, acknowledged by officials in both countries, marked an escalation of Kiev’s efforts to target Russia’s key source of war revenue.
“The SBU continues to take active steps to reduce petrodollar receipts to the Russian budget,” the official said.
The Ukrainian military operation followed a similar attack on two Russian Shadow Fleet tankers in late November. The SBU said the strike was a “serious blow to Russian oil transportation.”
The attack on Ukraine comes after US President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that Moscow had the “upper hand” in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and that Kiev was “losing” the war.
Several Ukrainian and European officials dispute Trump’s claims, but acknowledge that Ukraine’s position is difficult. Officials told CNN there are no new assessments from the United States or Europe that suggest any significant changes on the battlefield that would indicate an imminent victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces.
Meanwhile, negotiations on a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia proposed by the United States continue, but have not made any progress.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X that U.S. and Ukrainian delegations met virtually on Wednesday to discuss plans for Ukraine’s reconstruction and economic development after the end of the war with Russia.
The U.S. delegation also included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law. According to the Ukrainian leader, BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink said:
“We discussed important elements for recovery, various mechanisms and visions for recovery. There are many ideas that can be successful in Ukraine if the right approach is taken,” Zelenskiy said.
The Ukrainian side also stated that it “renewed our reflection on the 20 points of the framework document for ending the war.” Zelenskiy thanked Trump and his team for their “substantial work and support.”
CNN’s Jim Sciutto contributed to this report.
