Strikes on two Russian “shadow fleet” tankers in the Black Sea were an SBU operation, Ukrainian media report

The explosions that struck two tankers from Russia’s “shadow fleet” on Nov. 28 were the result of a special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine, according reports from multiple Ukrainian news outlets, including RBC Ukraine.

The “shadow fleet” tankers in question are the Kairos (IMO 9236004) and the Virat (IMO 9832559). Both vessels sail without a flag, meaning they are not formally registered. They transmit registration data indicating a link to Gambia, but both were recently removed from the Gambian maritime registry, The Insider was able to confirm. The Kairos is under sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, while the Virat is under sanctions from the United States, the EU, Switzerland, the U.K., and Canada.

According to a source who spoke with Ukrainian outlet UNIAN, the attack was carried out jointly by the SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence and the Ukrainian Navy. The strike used upgraded Sea Baby maritime drones capable of traveling long distances while equipped with reinforced explosive payloads.

At the time of the strike, both the Kairos and the Virat were sailing empty toward Novorossiysk to load cargo, the outlet reported. After being hit by the drones, the tankers sustained severe damage and were effectively put out of service.