Flames rise from an oil tanker after explosions rocked two ships from the Russian shadow fleet in the Black Sea near the Turkish Bosphorus Strait (Archive: Reuters)
A source in the Ukrainian security service reported on Friday that Kyiv has carried out, using drones, a strike of a first-of-its-kind on an oil tanker belonging to the so-called Russian “shadow fleet” “in neutral waters” of the Mediterranean Sea.
The source explained that “the Ukrainian security service used drones to target an oil tanker belonging to the so-called Russian shadow fleet, the tanker ‘Kandiel’.”
“Circumventing Sanctions”
It was confirmed that “Russia was using this tanker to circumvent sanctions” and finance “its war against Ukraine”.
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe with a rich history dating back to the medieval state of Kyivan Rus. It has experienced periods of independence as well as rule by various empires, before regaining its sovereignty with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The country is known for its diverse cultural heritage, Orthodox Christian cathedrals, and the Black Sea coastline.
Russian oil tanker
The Russian oil tanker is a type of large vessel designed for the bulk transport of petroleum, playing a critical role in Russia’s economy as a major energy exporter. Historically, the development of the Russian tanker fleet expanded significantly during the Soviet era to support state-controlled oil production and export.
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a historically significant body of water that has served as a crucial crossroads for trade, cultural exchange, and conflict for millennia, connecting the civilizations of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its shores were home to ancient empires like the Egyptians, Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans, whose maritime activities shaped Western history.
Black Sea
The Black Sea is a large inland sea located between Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, historically known for its strategic importance in trade and conflict. It has been a crucial region for ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans, and later the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, largely due to its connection to the Mediterranean via the Bosporus.
Turkish Bosphorus Strait
The Turkish Bosphorus Strait is a natural strait in northwestern Turkey that forms part of the continental boundary between Europe and Asia, connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Its strategic and historical importance is immense, having been controlled by the Greek city-state of Byzantium, the Byzantine Empire, and later the Ottoman Empire, which conquered its shores in the 15th century. Today, it remains a vital international waterway for maritime trade and is famously lined with historic palaces, fortresses, and modern bridges in Istanbul.
Kyiv
Kyiv is the capital and largest city of Ukraine, situated on the Dnieper River. Historically, it is considered one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, founded in the 5th century and serving as the center of the medieval Kievan Rus’ state, which is seen as a cultural ancestor for both Ukraine and Russia. Its rich history is reflected in numerous landmarks, including the UNESCO-listed Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery complex.
Russian shadow fleet
The “Russian shadow fleet” refers to a collection of aging tankers, often owned by obscure entities and operating with opaque insurance, that emerged following Western sanctions on Russian oil exports after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This fleet is used to transport Russian crude oil and petroleum products, frequently employing tactics like ship-to-ship transfers and disabling transponders to obscure origins and circumvent price caps and restrictions.
Kandiel
Kandiel is a small village in Burkina Faso, historically known as a center for traditional Mossi culture and craftsmanship. It is particularly recognized for its vibrant weaving and textile production, which has been a significant part of the local economy and cultural heritage for generations.
Russia
Russia is the world’s largest country by area, spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Its history is marked by the rise and fall of the Kievan Rus’, the Tsardom of Russia, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the modern Russian Federation established in 1991. It is renowned for its vast landscapes, rich literary and artistic traditions, and complex political history.
