A sanctioned Russian “shadow fleet” tanker damaged by a Ukrainian sea drone has drifted dangerously close to Bulgaria’s coast after a Turkish tug cut it loose in Bulgarian territorial waters, the maritime outlet Maritime.bg reported. The Kairos (IMO: 9236004) is anchored about one nautical mile east of the town of Ahtopol with roughly 10 people aboard who have requested evacuation. Bulgaria has deployed its Navy, Border Police and Maritime Administration, but high winds and rough seas — with waves above Beaufort force 4 — are preventing a safe rescue.
Anton Zlatanov, head of Bulgaria’s Chief Directorate “Border Police,” said the tanker entered Bulgarian territorial waters on December 5 “from the south” and initially did not respond to shore calls. The crew later established radio contact, followed instructions and dropped anchor. The ship is “holding steady off Ahtopol,” he said, but the weather has so far prevented inspectors from boarding or safely evacuating the crew. Authorities are monitoring the vessel continuously from shore and air, and via radio and radar.
An official statement from Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry and Maritime Administration confirmed Kairos was identified in Bulgarian waters as one of two tankers struck by Ukrainian sea drones in recent days. After the evacuation request, Bulgaria dispatched a Border Police boat and a Navy helicopter, then confirmed the tanker had anchored roughly one mile from shore. Two tugs are on standby, and the ship remains under constant watch.
Maritime.bg reported that the Turkish tug Timur Bey towed Kairos toward Bulgaria. The tow began December 3 with Tuzla as the initial destination, but the tug later altered course toward Bulgaria. After entering Bulgarian territorial waters, Timur Bey ended the tow, switched off its AIS and headed toward the Turkish port of Ineada. Bulgarian agencies did not mention this in their official statements. The outlet noted unanswered questions about why Bulgaria’s maritime surveillance did not react earlier to a 276-meter tanker being towed toward its coast.
From shore, Maritime.bg correspondents observed Kairos anchored roughly 5–7 cables from the Ahtopol pier, in at least 20 meters of water over rocky seabed. The ship appears to have no electrical power, though crew movement is visible on deck. The Burgas regional administration said there is “no danger to the life and health of residents and no data indicating environmental impact.” Initial information indicates the tanker is in ballast and not carrying oil. Maritime.bg added the vessel was in ballast during the Ukrainian strike, though the amount of residual fuel onboard is unknown.
According to Maritime.bg, Sofia is weighing whether to summon Turkey’s ambassador after a Turkish-flagged tug effectively left a damaged tanker off Bulgaria’s coast. An anonymous maritime security expert called the situation “an absolute provocation against Bulgaria,” noting a sanctioned, damaged vessel was towed not to a Turkish port but toward another country’s shoreline and left there without notifying the receiving state.
Bulgarian authorities have previously voiced concern about Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea. Maritime.bg noted Bulgaria remains the only coastal country in the region that has not condemned Ukraine’s strikes on these ships.
Earlier, UNIAN, citing Ukrainian security services, reported that the disabling of two “shadow fleet” tankers - Kairos (IMO: 9236004) and Virat (IMO: 9832559) - was a special operation by Ukraine’s SBU in coordination with the Ukrainian Navy. Modified Sea Baby maritime drones with extended range and enhanced warheads were used, according to those services. Both ships were sailing empty to Novorossiysk for loading and sustained heavy damage, effectively being put out of service. The Insider reported that Kairos and Virat were nominally flying the flag of Gambia but had been delisted by Gambian authorities and were effectively stateless. Kairos is under EU, UK and Swiss sanctions; Virat is sanctioned by the US, EU, Switzerland, UK and Canada.
