Two oil tankers, identified as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” were struck by explosions in the Black Sea near the Turkish coast on Friday. The incidents ignited onboard fires and necessitated emergency rescue operations by Turkish authorities, as reported by Reuters.

The 274-meter tanker Kairos caught fire following an explosion while en route from Egypt to Russia. Turkey’s Ministry of Transport confirmed the incident and stated that rescue teams, including two fast-response boats, a tug, and an emergency vessel, were immediately deployed. All 25 crew members were safely evacuated. The Maritime Affairs Directorate reported that the vessel experienced an “external impact” approximately 28 nautical miles off the Turkish coast, en route to Novorossiysk.

A second tanker, the Virat, was also hit further east in the Black Sea, about 35 nautical miles offshore. Emergency teams and a commercial vessel were dispatched to provide assistance. Heavy smoke was observed in the engine room, but all 20 crew members were confirmed to be unharmed.

Shipping data indicates that both vessels are among those sanctioned in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Kairos, sailing under a Gambian flag and reportedly in ballast, may have encountered a naval mine and was assessed to be at risk of sinking.

Turkish authorities confirmed that shipping traffic through the Bosphorus Strait remained unaffected by these events.

Explosions hit sanctioned Tankers in the Black Sea off Turkey, crews rescued