Drone Strike Forces Russia-Bound Oil Tanker to Divert to Turkey in Black Sea
Maritime authorities and intelligence sources said a drone struck a Russia-bound oil tanker in the Black Sea on Wednesday, forcing the vessel to change course and seek immediate help from the Turkish coastguard.
An unmanned aerial drone hit the Palau-flagged tanker Elbus while it was sailing about 30 nautical miles off Turkey’s northern coast, damaging the vessel as it traveled from Singapore to Russia’s Novorossiysk port.
According to maritime data specialists and security observers, the drone impact did not cause injuries among the 25-member crew, nor did it trigger any noticeable oil pollution in the area. The tanker subsequently sent a distress call and diverted toward the Turkish port of İnebolu, where coastguard units escorted the vessel as authorities assess the situation.
The incident highlights growing security concerns in the Black Sea, a vital corridor for global energy shipments. Attacks on vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”—tanker networks used to bypass Western sanctions—have increased in recent months, sparking diplomatic tensions and raising insurance premiums for maritime transport.
Neither Russian officials nor Ukrainian authorities have publicly claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s strike. Ankara, which shares the Black Sea coastline with both Kyiv and Moscow, has urged caution as it navigates the complex balance between regional security and the larger geopolitical conflict impacting Europe’s energy routes.
