The Russian tanker MIDVOLGA 2 (IMO: 9735139), bound for Georgia, came under attack off Turkey’s coast, the country’s General Directorate of Maritime Affairs said on X. It is the third vessel to sustain damage off the Turkish coastline in the past four days (since November 28).
According to the Turkish agency, the ship was sailing from Russia to Georgia carrying a cargo of sunflower oil. MIDVOLGA 2 was attacked roughly 80 miles offshore (about 150 kilometers).
There are 13 crew members on board. The vessel did not request assistance, and no injuries have been reported. The tanker is currently heading toward the Turkish port city of Sinop.
Updated 13:56. Russia’s Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport confirmed the attack. It said the tanker was struck by UAVs at around 8 a.m.: “There is minor damage to the vessel’s superstructure, no flooding,” state media TASS reported.
Late last week, two tankers linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” were damaged in an explosion while en route to the port of Novorossiysk. Ukrainian media, citing security service sources, later reported that the SBU claimed responsibility, saying upgraded Sea Baby maritime drones were used.
On November 30, reports also emerged that a Turkish oil tanker was sinking off the coast of Senegal. Media outlets suggested it may have been struck by Ukrainian drones for transporting Russian oil, though there is no convincing evidence to support that version. The tanker’s owner reported four external explosions, after which water began flooding the engine room.
