Ukraine has escalated its campaign against Russia’s naval operations, recently hitting two oil tankers in the Black Sea. This escalation comes as Ukraine calls on Western nations to take decisive action against what it terms Russia’s “shadow fleet.” Hundreds of unregulated vessels just like them are having a huge impact. They make it possible for Moscow to continue to export significant volumes of oil despite draconian Western sanctions.
In July 2023, the Kairos and Virat, two oil tankers transiting the Black Sea to a Russian port, were attacked. Their mission was to load oil destined for foreign markets. The Kairos suffered an explosion and caught fire on Friday, marking a significant development in Ukraine’s sustained efforts to target Russian oil refineries over the past months. In fact, reports indicate that most of these attacks occur deep behind frontlines. Just as we were making concrete plans, Moscow started their full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine’s government has said that Russia’s “shadow fleet” is key to their sanctions evasion. This strategy is meant to destroy Ukraine’s economy and finance Russia’s fight to support the war. The latest round of strikes represent another major tactical change. Ukraine has every interest in making Russia pay a heavy price — not only eroding its short-term military capacity but undermining its economic lifelines.
“Video shows that after being hit, both tankers sustained critical damage and were effectively taken out of service. This will deal a significant blow to Russian oil transportation,” – Ukrainian official
In response to these attacks, Turkey expressed its displeasure. They drew attention to their violations of safety risks posed to maritime navigation within their exclusive economic zone. Kazakhstan, too, condemned the attacks and called them an abomination.
Both the Kairos and Virat are currently on a U.S. sanctions list. This list came about in large part due to the leadership of Western nations in responding to Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine. As the conflict drags on, Ukraine’s strategy appears increasingly focused on undermining Russia’s energy exports, which have been a primary source of revenue for Moscow amidst the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine’s naval drone operations reflect its broader strategy to enhance its military capabilities and assert control over maritime routes in the Black Sea. As this regional development continues to evolve, many regional and global stakeholders continue to monitor closely. First, they are concerned about how these attacks will affect international trade and geopolitical stability.