Russian officials say a Liberian-flagged oil tanker off Sochi was hit by a naval drone, sparking a large fire and a black smoke cloud over the Black Sea resort city. A crew of 23 Indian nationals was rescued.
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Key facts
- A Liberian-flagged oil tanker off Russia's Black Sea coast was struck by a naval drone, according to Russia's transport ministry.
- The attack triggered a huge fire and a black smoke cloud that blanketed parts of the resort city of Sochi.
- The transport ministry said crude oil is burning openly in the waters of the Black Sea.
- A crew of 23 Indian nationals was rescued.
An oil tanker off Russia’s Black Sea coast was struck by a naval drone, triggering a huge fire and a black smoke cloud that blanketed parts of the resort city of Sochi, Russia’s transport ministry has said.
According to the Guardian, Russian officials said the Liberian-flagged tanker was attacked and that a crew of 23 Indian nationals was rescued.
The transport ministry said the vessel had been attacked and that “crude oil is burning openly in the waters of the Black Sea,” indicating the scale of the blaze that followed the strike.
The smoke cloud spread over parts of Sochi, a well-known resort city on Russia’s Black Sea coast, affecting the area around the site of the incident.
The reported details, including the nationality of the rescued crew and the registration of the tanker, were attributed to Russian officials and the country’s transport ministry.
Why it matters
An attack on a commercial oil tanker near a populated Russian resort city raises concerns about maritime safety, environmental damage from burning crude oil, and the risk to civilian crews. The incident underscores the continuing reach of drone warfare into the Black Sea.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to the oil tanker off Sochi?
Russia's transport ministry said a Liberian-flagged oil tanker was struck by a naval drone, triggering a huge fire and a black smoke cloud over parts of Sochi, with crude oil burning openly in the Black Sea.
Was the crew rescued?
Yes. According to the Guardian, Russian officials said a crew of 23 Indian nationals was rescued.
What flag did the tanker fly?
Russia's transport ministry said the tanker was Liberian-flagged.
Timeline
- Naval drone hits oil tanker off Russian resort city Sochi, triggering massive blaze
The Guardian World: Russian officials said a Liberian-flagged tanker was attacked and a crew of 23 Indian nationals rescued An oil tanker off Russia’s Black Sea coast was struck by a naval drone, triggering a huge fire and black smoke cloud that blanketed parts of the resort city of Sochi, Russia’s