Russian shadow fleet oil tanker burns off Sochi after reported sea drone attack
An oil tanker sanctioned by Ukraine as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” is burning in the Black Sea off Sochi after what Russian authorities described as a sea drone attack. All 23 crew members were rescued as thick smoke from the fire reached the Russian resort city’s coast.
The Liberian-flagged tanker AFRAMAX RIO, which was carrying oil, was attacked by unmanned surface vessels, according to Russia’s Transport Ministry and authorities in Krasnodar Krai.
The tanker was burning about 11 kilometers (7 miles) off the coast of Sochi. Its crew of 23 Indian nationals was rescued, with no injuries reported, according to Russian authorities.
Oil continues to burn on the surface of the Black Sea around the vessel. Russian emergency services said firefighting ships cannot yet approach the tanker because of the intensity of the blaze.
Thick smoke from the fire reached Sochi, prompting local authorities to temporarily restrict access to the city’s beaches and seafront areas. Officials said concentrations of hazardous combustion products in the air remained within permitted levels.
AFRAMAX RIO can carry up to 100,000 metric tons of crude oil, according to Ukrainian media reports citing the independent Russian outlet ASTRA.
Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council sanctioned the tanker in February 2026 as one of 91 vessels identified as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
The vessel regularly transported Russian oil between 2024 and 2026 from the ports of Novorossiysk, Taman and Ust-Luga to destinations including India, Singapore and Saudi Arabia, according to ASTRA.
Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the reported attack.
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