A Russian tanker with 11 crew members was struck in a Ukrainian drone attack in the Black Sea, sustaining damage to its engine room, according to Russian maritime officials. The incident occurred overnight in the Kerch Strait, with the vessel’s location reported to be 17 miles south of the Crimean Bridge. The attack is suspected to have been carried out by a naval drone, but Ukraine has not yet made a public statement about the incident.
Naval drones have become a significant factor in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Ukraine reportedly using sea drones in several attacks, including a recent strike on a Russian ship. Clashes in the region have intensified, and Ukrainian ports have faced drone and missile attacks from Russia, leading to threats of retaliation from Kyiv.
In a separate development, Saudi Arabia is set to host talks to end the war in Ukraine, inviting about 30 countries to attend, excluding Russia. The meeting will take place in the Red Sea city of Jeddah. The conflict began when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
