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BLACKโฃ SEA – Ukraine’s security services released video footage Saturdayโ showing the momentโฃ domestically produced naval drones struck twoโค Russian oilโฃ tankers in the โขBlack Sea,ignitingโฃ fires on both vessels. The attack targeted the Kairos and Virat,identified as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to evade international sanctions.
The โฃvideo, shared withโ the Associated Press by a Ukrainian security official, depicts naval drones โspeeding towards the large โคtankersโ before detonatingโ in powerful blasts.The strikes occurredโ in rapid successionโข off Turkey’s Blackโ Sea coast, according to the official.
Naval drones, also known as maritime unmanned surface vesselsโฃ (MUSVs), are uncrewed, explosive-ladenโค speedboats designed to โnavigate towards targets and detonate upon impact. Their increasing use represents a new dimension in naval warfare, offering a relatively low-cost and high-risk methodโ of attack.
The targeted tankers are reportedly crucial components of Russia’s efforts to circumvent Western sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. The “shadow fleet” consists of aging tankers that obscure the origin and destination of Russian oil, allowing continued revenue streams for the kremlin despite restrictions.
The use of naval drones is a growing trend โin modern warfare, driven by advancements in autonomousโ technology and the desire for standoff capabilities. Ukraine has been at theโฃ forefront โof this development,โค investing in โdomestic production of these vessels to counter Russia’s naval dominance in the black Sea. The โฃBlackโข seaโฃ has become a critical theater in theโค ongoing conflict, serving as a vital export route for โฃUkrainian grain and a strategic point for Russianโข naval operations.
Russia’s โข”shadow fleet” has been under increasedโข scrutiny from Western governments,โค with โefforts underway to identify andโ disruptโ the networkโ of vesselsโฃ facilitating sanctions โฃevasion. The attacks on โคthe Kairos and Virat represent โaโข direct โขchallenge to this network and a presentation of Ukraine’s ability to strike at Russian assets even in international waters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are navalโ drones?
- Naval drones,โ or maritime unmanned surface vessels (MUSVs), are uncrewed boats packed โคwith explosives that are remotely โcontrolled or operate autonomouslyโ to โขtarget enemy vessels.
- What is Russia’s “shadow fleet”?
- the “shadow fleet” refers to a โnetwork โขof aging oil tankers used by โคRussia to circumvent Westernโ sanctions by obscuringโ the origin and destination of its oil exports.
- Where did these strikes occur?
- The strikes on โฃthe Kairos โคand Virat occurred off Turkey’s โBlack Sea coast.
- who โคconfirmed the attacks?
- A Ukrainian security official confirmed the attacks โขto the Associated Press โคand released accompanying video footage.