An oil tanker flying a Liberian flag was struck by a naval drone off the coast of Sochi, Russia, on Tuesday, resulting in a significant fire that sent a thick plume of black smoke over the Black Sea resort city. Russia’s transport ministry reported the incident, stating that crude oil was burning openly in the surrounding waters. Firefighting efforts were delayed until the blaze’s intensity diminished enough for rescue vessels to approach safely.
All 23 crew members aboard the tanker, identified as Indian nationals, were successfully rescued. Sochi, a city of nearly 500,000 residents known for its seaside tourism, saw local authorities restrict access to beaches and coastal areas following the incident. Videos circulated on social media showed intense flames and the dense smoke cloud rising from the sea.
The attack occurs amid ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, both of which have targeted commercial shipping in the Black Sea region since the conflict began. Recently, Russia has also struck grain export vessels near Romania’s coast. Kyiv has not commented publicly on the latest assault.
In a related development on the same day, two commercial vessels in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea were reportedly attacked by drones, marking the first such incident in the area. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the strikes as a clear violation of international and maritime law, following an emergency government meeting. The origin of the drones remains under investigation, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attributed the attacks to Russia. Bulgarian authorities reported that the ships were targeted by sea and aerial drones approximately 128 kilometers off the Bulgarian coast.
The situation remains tense across Ukraine, with President Zelenskyy warning of a likely “massive strike” from Russia during his nightly address on Tuesday. Ukrainian officials confirmed multiple Russian attacks in the early hours of Wednesday, including strikes on Kyiv and the southeastern city of Dnipro. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported damage to buildings and warehouses in the capital, while Agence France-Presse and Reuters confirmed multiple explosions and at least two fatalities resulting from the strikes.
The Dnipro attack targeted an industrial facility, though details remain sparse. With winter approaching, Ukraine has experienced intensified Russian airstrikes focusing on energy infrastructure and key transport routes, including bridges over the Dnipro River. Air raid sirens have become a persistent presence, urging civilians to seek shelter throughout the day and night.