Unmanned Vessels Stir Tension in the Black Sea

Turkey reports an unmanned vessel attack on the tanker Virat in the Black Sea, causing minor damage. Another Russian-bound tanker, Kairos, caught fire following an external impact. Both ships are under sanctions due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlighting growing tensions in the area.

An unmanned vessel reportedly attacked the tanker Virat in Russia's shadow fleet off Turkey's Black Sea coast late Friday, the Turkish transport ministry reported. The Virat suffered minor damage but remains stable, with no harm to the crew, the ministry confirmed.

Further attacks on the Virat were reported Saturday, as unmanned vessels once again targeted the ship roughly 35 miles offshore in the Black Sea. The incidents have left minor damage on its starboard side, yet the perpetrators remain unknown, according to Turkish authorities.

In a parallel incident, Turkish rescue teams continue efforts to extinguish a fire on the Russian-bound tanker Kairos, which erupted following an explosion in the Black Sea. The fire, reportedly caused by an external impact, spurred the evacuation of 25 crew members. Both the Kairos and Virat are under international sanctions due to Russia's activities in Ukraine, as cited by LSEG data.

(With inputs from agencies.)