Ukrainian naval drones struck and disabled a sanctioned tanker on 10 December as it transited Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
The vessel, identified as the Dashan, part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” is the third Russia-linked ship hit in the region in two weeks. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the Dashan was traveling at maximum speed with its AIS transponder switched off when explosions tore through its stern, causing “critical damage.” The tanker, under EU and U.K. sanctions and sailing without a clear flag registry.
Video provided by the agency shows several Sea Baby drones racing toward the tanker before powerful blasts erupt at the rear of the ship. Maritime security sources also confirmed the strike, though no casualties have been reported.
Ukraine says the attack is part of an intensified effort to disrupt Russia’s wartime oil revenues. “The SBU continues active measures to reduce oil-dollar revenues to the Russian budget. In the last two weeks, this is already the third disabled tanker of the ‘shadow fleet’ that helped the Kremlin circumvent international sanctions,” the SBU source said to Kyiv Independent.
Analysts note that the pressure has already pushed war-risk insurance costs for Black Sea shipping sharply higher.
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