Three tankers linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” were attacked by drones Thursday in the Black Sea near Turkey’s northern coast. The incidents occurred near the Turkish district of Turkeli, prompting Ankara to dispatch coast guard vessels to the area. No casualties were reported among the crews.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. According to shipping agency Tribeca, cited by Türkiye Today outlet, the Palau-flagged tanker James II was struck by a drone while sailing in ballast approximately 80 kilometers north of Turkeli and about 77 kilometers from the Bosphorus Strait. The drone reportedly hit the vessel’s engine room. At the time of the attack, 20 crew members were aboard the tanker. Two additional tankers – Altura and Velora, both sailing under the Sierra Leone flag – were also attacked in a nearby area while conducting a ship-to-ship cargo transfer operation at sea. Both vessels were likewise traveling without cargo. Footage circulating online appeared to show one of the drones bearing a Cyrillic inscription resembling the word “police.”
Three Russia-linked “shadow fleet” tankers were struck by Ukrainian sea drones last night near Kilyos — just 2–3 km from Türkiye’s coast. Two drones hit Velora but failed to detonate; a third struck James II nearby. Altura (previously hit in March) was also damaged. All crew… pic.twitter.com/2PCSto74By— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 28, 2026
