Russian Shadow Fleet Crew Sent SOS — “This Is Virat, Need Help” — Before Drone Attack

A Russian oil tanker named Virat was struck by an unmanned sea vehicle in the Black Sea on Saturday, just hours after it had reportedly come under attack late Friday.

The incident involved maritime drones, not aerial ones, as confirmed through intercepted distress calls. In an open-frequency SOS message, the crew urgently reported the assault: “This is VIRAT. Help needed! Drone attack! Mayday!” A video circulating online also captures the crew repeating the same plea for assistance.

Turkey’s transport ministry said on X that Virat was attacked approximately 35 nautical miles off the Black Sea coast, and that a second strike occurred early Saturday. Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu later clarified that the damage indicated an “external impact,” possibly caused by a mine, missile, drone, or unmanned underwater vehicle.

Despite the double strike, the tanker suffered only minor damage and remains stable. All crew members are safe.

Ukraine Claims Operation Against ‘Shadow Fleet’

AFP reported that Ukraine has claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as part of an operation targeting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”—tankers used to transport oil despite Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

A senior Ukrainian security official said the mission was carried out jointly by the SBU and the Ukrainian navy. According to the official, video footage showed both targeted tankers sustaining “critical damage,” effectively putting them out of service.

A source from Ukraine’s SBU told AFP that modernised “Sea Baby” naval drones were used in the strikes. The agency also shared footage purportedly showing the drones gliding across the water toward the tankers before the blasts.

Both targeted vessels, reportedly flying a Gambian flag per VesselFinder data, are under Western sanctions for moving Russian oil in violation of embargo rules. Ukraine has repeatedly urged stronger international action against such ships, arguing that shadow-fleet oil transport continues to fund Russia’s war.

According to The Kyiv Independent, the tankers may have been carrying oil worth an estimated $70 million.