23 Indians rescued after Ukrainian drone strike sets oil tanker ablaze off Russia’s Black Sea | What we know
23 Indian crew members were rescued after a Ukrainian drone strike set an oil tanker on fire off Russia’s Black Sea coast. The attack near Sochi left one Indian crew member injured and came a day after another vessel sank off Romania, killing two.
A Ukrainian drone attack on an oil tanker off Russia's southern coast left 23 Indian crew members stranded, Russian officials reported on Tuesday evening. The tanker, burning with crude oil in the Black Sea waters, was targeted by "naval drones," according to Russia's Transport Ministry. Firefighters plan to combat the flames once the intensity decreases.
The attack occurred near Sochi, a Russian resort city with a population of nearly 500,000, as per AFP. Videos and images circulating online showed flames and thick smoke near the coastline. This incident follows a recent commercial vessel fire and sinking off Romania's coast, resulting in two foreign deaths, including two Indians.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has fueled concerns over maritime safety in the Black Sea, where both nations have increasingly targeted infrastructure linked to shipping and energy. Russia's recent strikes on grain vessels near Romania and Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil infrastructure have heightened tensions. India has voiced concerns over threats to commercial shipping and called for diplomatic solutions, with the MEA commending Romanian authorities for rescuing injured crew members and providing medical treatment.
Written by urgent.news from Live Mint's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 3 other outlets
- Russia slams Kyiv in mass missile, drone attack on Putin's 74th birthday kyivindependent.com
- Russia’s Shadow Fleet Tanker Burns off Sochi After Black Sea Attack kyivpost.com
- Russia strikes Ukraine's Kyiv in fresh wave of attacks brecorder.com
