Ukrainian naval drones hit two oil tankers from Russia's so-called shadow fleet as they travelled through the Black Sea, Ukrainian officials report.
Footage verified by the BBC shows waterborne drones speeding through the waves into the vessels, creating a ball of flame and sending black smoke into the air.
The targeted tankers were named by Turkish authorities as the Kairos and Virat, both flagged to Gambia. Both were hit off the Turkish coast on Friday, with the Virat reportedly struck again on Saturday. There were no reported casualties.
The attacks appear to be an escalation by Kyiv, aiming to target Russia's oil revenues, crucial for its war funding.
Both ships are reportedly part of Russia's shadow fleet, consisting of tankers used to bypass Western sanctions imposed after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many of these tankers are aged, with obscure ownership or insurance.
The Kairos was struck in the south-west area of the Black Sea, while the Virat was hit in a central area further east. Both vessels are listed under sanctions, according to London Stock Exchange data.
Reports suggest that Sea Baby drones, produced by Ukraine's security services (SBU), were used in the attacks.
Turkish authorities attempted to extinguish the fire on the Kairos, emphasizing the risks associated with transporting Russian oil through the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, a major consortium transporting oil from the Caspian region has suspended operations in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk due to similar attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that a delegation is traveling to the U.S. for discussions aimed at resolving the conflict, amid recent leadership changes in Ukraine's negotiating team.
