SBU hits Russian “shadow fleet” tanker in the Black Sea (video)

The SBU’s Sea Baby sea drone hit the “Blue” tanker, which is part of the Russian “shadow fleet”.

At the time of the strike, the vessel was near the temporarily occupied Yalta, in the exclusive economic zone of Ukraine, the SBU reported.

The Sea Baby struck the stern of the tanker, causing significant damage. Enemy aircraft tried to operate against the SBU’s sea drone, but to no avail.

The “Blue” tanker is under sanctions by the EU, the UK, Canada, Australia and Ukraine for participating in the transportation of Russian oil in circumvention of international sanctions. It belongs to the Suezmax class — large sea tankers used to transport significant volumes of oil and petroleum products.

The destruction of the “shadow fleet” vessels is part of the SBU’s systematic work to reduce the economic potential of the aggressor state. It is with the help of such tankers that Russia circumvents international sanctions and receives billions in profits from oil exports, which it directs to finance the war against Ukraine.

From the point of view of international law, as well as the laws and customs of war, such vessels are absolutely legitimate military targets. Each successful strike on them reduces the Kremlin’s oil revenues, increases the price of Russian military logistics and weakens the financial basis of the Russian Federation for continued aggression, the Security Service noted.

Earlier, USM reported that a tanker chartered by an American company was attacked by a UAV near Novorossiysk.