Name: Ukraine strikes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean
Uploaded: 2025-12-19T20:45:49.108Z
Duration: 1 min 4 s
Description: Ukraine hit Russian-linked tanker Qendil with drones in the Mediterranean on Friday, marking the first shadow fleet strike outside Black Sea.

Ukraine hit Russian-linked tanker Qendil with drones in the Mediterranean on Friday, marking the first shadow fleet strike outside Black Sea.

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukrainian forces carried out a drone strike on the Oman-flagged oil tanker Kendyl, which is linked to Russia's so-called Shadow Fleet, in the Eastern Mediterranean. The vessel, which was empty at the time, was critically damaged more than 2,000 kilometers from Ukrainian territory while sailing off Crete en route from India to the Russian port of Ust-Luga.

Ukrainian officials described the attack as a legitimate act under the laws of war, aiming to disrupt Russian energy exports that fund Moscow's military efforts. This operation follows similar strikes by Ukraine on Shadow Fleet tankers in the Black Sea and oil platforms in the Caspian Sea, intensifying pressure on Russia's export routes. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by vowing there would always be a response, but stated that oil supplies would not be disrupted.

Ukraine strikes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean

Ukraine has struck a Russian-linked oil tanker in the Eastern Mediterranean in what officials call an unprecedented special operation. Security sources say aerial drones hit the Oman-flagged tanker Kendyl more than 2,000 kilometers from Ukrainian territory, critically damaging the empty vessel. The ship, part of Russia's so-called Shadow Fleet used to bypass oil sanctions, was sailing off Crete on its way from India to the Russian port of Ust-Luga when it was attacked. Kiev says targeting tankers that fund Moscow's war is a legitimate act under the laws of war and marks a major expansion of its campaign against Russian energy infrastructure at sea. In recent weeks, Ukraine has also hit Shadow Fleet tankers in the Black Sea and struck oil platforms in the Caspian Sea, deepening pressure on Russia's export routes. Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed there will always be a response but insisted the strikes will not disrupt oil supplies.

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Ukraine strikes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean

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Ukraine Invasion