Turkish Oil Tanker Hit by Drones in Black Sea Near Istanbul

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Turkish Oil Tanker Hit by Drones in Black Sea Near Istanbul

Bloomberg • March 26, 2026

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A Turkish tanker laden with crude oil was targeted by a drone attack in the Black Sea near Istanbul, NTV television reported.

The attack on the M/T Altura took place 15 nautical miles away from the Bosporus Strait, NTV reported.

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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 Attack on Turkish Oil Tanker Carrying Russian Crude in Black Sea On March 26, 2026, the Sierra Leone-flagged oil tanker Altura, operated by a Turkish company, was attacked by drones while carrying approximately 1 million barrels of Russian crude oil near the Bosphorus Strait. The attack reportedly involved both an unmanned aerial vehicle and an unmanned surface vehicle, causing damage to the vessel's bridge and engine room, which began taking on water. All 27 crew members, who are Turkish nationals, were unharmed. The incident occurred approximately 15 nautical miles from the Bosphorus, a critical shipping route. Turkish authorities dispatched rescue vessels and coast guard units to assist the Altura following its distress signal. The tanker is part of Russia's shadow fleet, which is used to circumvent international sanctions. Ukraine has ramped up attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, although it has not claimed responsibility for this specific incident. The attack highlights the increasing risks associated with maritime operations in the Black Sea amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. 8 sources 72

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