Drones Attack Three Russian-linked Tankers Off The Coast Of Turkey

• 28.05.2026, 14:25

They are under sanctions.

Three tankers carrying Russian oil and oil products were attacked in the Black Sea off Turkey's northern coast on Thursday.

This was Reuters reported, citing the Tribeca shipping agency. The Palau-flagged tanker James II was traveling without cargo and was attacked about 80 kilometers north of the Turkeli area. Two other tankers, Altura and Velora, flying the flag of Sierra Leone, were attacked while transferring between vessels. Turkey sent coast guard cutters to the scene.

According to Tribeca, none of the crew members were injured. Ukraine and Russia have not commented on the attack. Turkey's Ministry of Transport also did not comment.

All three vessels were previously carrying Russian oil and were hit by sanctions. Altura and Velora were carrying Rosneft oil and have been under EU sanctions since October 24, 2025. Later, Switzerland, the UK and Canada also imposed sanctions on the vessels. They have been operated by Turkish company Pergamon Denizcilik Isletmeleri since November 19, 2025. Altura and Velora are linked to a network of companies linked to Hector Varela de Leon and Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of an adviser to Iran's supreme leader. The James II tanker was used to export oil and oil products from Russian ports from June 2024. On May 20, 2025, the UK imposed sanctions against it.