28.11.2025 23:16
In an incident that occurred in the Black Sea this evening, an explosion took place on the foreign-flagged tanker Kairos, which was sailing towards Russia's Novorossiysk port. Shortly after, it was reported that another tanker, Virat, which was also navigating in the same waters, was hit. Both tankers are listed as "shadow fleet/sanctioned vessels" under the sanctions imposed on Russia since 2022, while Russian media claimed there was a drone attack.
An explosion occurred on the foreign-flagged tanker named Kairos, which was en route to Russia's Novorossiysk port, for an as-yet undetermined reason. Another tanker named Virat, located in the same area, reported being hit following the incident. It was stated that the condition of the crew on both vessels is good, while various claims regarding the events have emerged.
WAS THE EXPLOSION CAUSED BY A MINE OR A DRONE ATTACK?
No official statement has yet been made regarding the cause of the explosions that occurred on the 274-meter-long Kairos and subsequently on the Virat.
Russian media claimed that the Kairos hit a mine, while it was suggested that the Virat was attacked by a drone.
Both claims have been regarded as serious developments.
SHADOW FLEET VESSELS
Moreover, it is noteworthy that both vessels are listed among those subject to sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It is believed that the Kairos was heading to Russia's Novorossiysk port to load crude oil and was therefore empty. The tanker named Virat is also reported to be flagged in Gambia, like the Kairos.