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Oil Tankers Suffer Drone Attacks Off Turkey's Black Sea Coast

Bloomberg • May 28, 2026

Three crude-oil tankers sanctioned for being part of Russia’s shadow fleet were attacked by drones off Turkey’s Black Sea coast overnight, according to a local port agent.

The Turkish-managed Altura and Velora were targeted while they were conducting ship-to-ship cargo transfers, according to a report from the port agent seen by Bloomberg. Ship-tracking data showed that they arrived in the area on May 24. The Altura was attacked previously in March, local media reported at the time, when it was fully laden with a million barrels of Russian Urals crude.

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This article is one source in a clustered incident — the cluster page carries the summary, timeline and every other outlet covering it.

Drone Attacks Target Three Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Tankers in Black Sea On May 28, 2026, three oil tankers linked to Russia's 'shadow fleet' were attacked by drones in the Black Sea near Turkey's northern coast. The tankers involved were the Palau-flagged James II and Sierra Leone-flagged Altura and Velora, all of which were sailing in ballast. The James II was struck in its engine room approximately 80 kilometers north of Turkeli, while the Altura and Velora were attacked during a ship-to-ship operation nearby. No casualties were reported among the crew members, who were all confirmed safe. The attacks are part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to disrupt Russian oil exports amid ongoing conflict. Coastal safety boats were dispatched to assist the vessels, but neither Russia nor Ukraine claimed responsibility for the incidents. The attacks highlight the ongoing tensions and military operations in the region, particularly targeting vessels associated with circumventing sanctions on Russian oil exports. 20 sources 63

Oil Tankers Suffer Drone Attacks Off Turkey's Black Sea Coast

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