The tensions in the Black Sea have surged to a new peak after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to Ukraine, suggesting that Kyiv could be “cut off from the sea” following a series of coordinated underwater drone strikes that crippled two Russian oil tankers.
Speaking to reporters, Putin described the Ukrainian drone operations as “piracy”, accusing Kyiv of targeting tankers operating in another country’s special economic zone. He warned that Moscow may now respond by taking action not only against Ukrainian vessels but also against ships belonging to nations that support Kyiv.
According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, Putin claimed that Ukrainian maritime drones struck ships that posed no immediate combat threat, calling the attacks “outright piracy.” He further hinted that Russia may intensify strikes on Ukrainian ports and monitor or target ships attempting to access them—raising concerns of a potential escalation that could reshape the strategic balance in the Black Sea.
Ukrainian Maritime Drones Hit Russian Tankers Twice in 48 Hours
The latest confrontation stems from a joint operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Ukrainian navy, which used advanced “Sea Baby” underwater drones to hit two Russian-operated tankers last Friday and Saturday.
A Ukrainian security source confirmed that both tankers suffered critical, disabling damage, marking a major setback for Moscow’s maritime oil logistics.
One of the targeted vessels, the Gambian-flagged tanker Virat—already sanctioned by the U.S., U.K., and EU under previous names—was struck twice in two days. Turkey’s Transport Ministry reported that although the tanker caught fire, the crew did not request evacuation, and firefighting support was dispatched.
The second vessel, also Gambian-flagged and identified as the Kairos, was hit in a separate blast on Friday. All 25 crew members were evacuated safely. Both tankers were operating outside Turkish territorial waters at the time of the attacks.
A Major Blow to Russia’s Oil Supply Routes
Russia depends heavily on hundreds of tankers—many sailing under foreign flags—to bypass Western sanctions and continue exporting oil. The disabling of two such vessels represents one of the most significant disruptions to Moscow’s maritime export network in recent months.
Security analysts believe Ukraine’s increasingly sophisticated drone capabilities could reshape naval warfare in the region, challenging Russia’s control of the Black Sea and complicating its export routes.
What Comes Next?
Putin’s threat that Ukraine could be “cut off from the sea” has raised alarms internationally. Any attempt by Russia to block Ukrainian ports—or target foreign-flagged ships headed there—could escalate into a broader regional crisis involving NATO member states that operate in or monitor the Black Sea.
With both sides pushing new boundaries in drone and naval warfare, the Black Sea is rapidly becoming one of the most unpredictable flashpoints of the conflict.