A tanker attacked by Ukrainian forces. Photo: Security Service of Ukraine

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), in cooperation with the Navy, has struck two tankers from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” – the Louise 1 and the Banda – in the Black Sea using naval drones.

Source: SSU press service

Details: According to the SSU, the Louise 1 was transporting Russian crude oil in circumvention of the G7 and EU oil embargo.

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The vessel was exporting oil from Baltic and Black Sea ports with its automatic identification system switched off. In 2026 alone, it has transported nearly 3 million tonnes of Russian Urals crude, Russia’s main export oil blend.

The Banda was also used to transport Russian oil from the country’s ports, including Ust-Luga, Kerch, Novorossiysk and Nakhodka.

During the attack, Russian aircraft attempted to destroy the naval drones using machine-gun fire and bombs, but were unable to do so, the SSU said.

Background:

• Ukrainian strikes on Russian vessels in the Azov and Black Seas have reached or even exceeded the intensity of the tanker war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s.

• Additionally, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces reportedly struck 20 vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet near occupied Crimea on the night of 14-15 July.

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