Turkish-Operated Tanker Carrying 1 Million Barrels Of Russian Oil Hit By Naval Drone Near Bosphorus Strait

A crude oil tanker carrying Russian oil was hit by a naval drone in the Black Sea near Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait early Thursday, according to Turkey’s transport minister.

The vessel reported an explosion in its engine room shortly after midnight, but all 27 crew members on board were safe.

Turkey’s Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said the foreign-flagged tanker, operated by a Turkish company, had loaded crude oil from Russia and was sailing toward Istanbul when the blast occurred. He said the engine room appeared to have been specifically targeted.

Authorities believe the strike was carried out by an unmanned surface vehicle at water level, though some earlier reports suggested a combination of aerial and surface drones.

The tanker, named Altura, had departed from Russia’s Novorossiysk port and was carrying about 1 million barrels of crude oil, or roughly 140,000 tonnes.

Ship-tracking data indicated the vessel was almost fully laden at the time of the incident.

The explosion took place about 18 nautical miles, or around 33 km, from the Bosphorus, just outside Turkish territorial waters. Some reports placed the distance closer to 14 miles.

The vessel issued a distress call after the blast, reporting water entering the engine room. Nearby ships responded, including a vessel named Erdek.

Turkish authorities sent multiple rescue units, including Rescue 11, Rescue 12 and a fast response boat. Officials said the situation was brought under control and no injuries were reported among the crew.

The tanker is managed by Turkey-based Pergamon Denizcilik, while ownership is linked to China-based Sea Grace Shipping Ltd, according to shipping data.

The vessel has changed ownership several times in recent years. It was previously part of a Turkish fleet under another name before being sold to a Panama-based company in 2024 and later acquired by Pergamon in 2025, when it was renamed Altura.

The ship is under sanctions by the European Union and the United Kingdom. It was added to the EU sanctions list in October 2025, followed by Switzerland and Ukraine in December 2025, and the UK in February 2026.

Reports also linked a previous owner to individuals already under U.S. sanctions, including connections to Iranian business interests.

Several tankers linked to Russian oil trade have been targeted in the Black Sea over the past year. These incidents have involved naval drones and other explosive devices.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack, and there has been no immediate response from Russia or Ukraine.

The Black Sea remains a sensitive region due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Turkey, which is a NATO member and controls access through the Bosphorus, has warned against military actions near its waters.

Turkish authorities said they are monitoring risks related to drones in the area and remain in contact with other countries to maintain safe navigation.

The Bosphorus Strait is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. Any disruption in this area can affect global oil flows.

In recent months, insurance costs for ships operating in the region have increased following similar attacks.

References: turkiyetoday, france24