Ukraine Disables Russian-Linked Tanker in Black Sea

Ukrainian security forces struck and disabled a Russian-linked oil tanker in the Black Sea on Wednesday, marking the third such attack on Moscow's shadow fleet in two weeks as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt illicit oil exports.

The vessel, identified as the Dashan and flying the flag of the Comoros Islands, was traveling at full speed toward the Russian port of Novorossiysk with its automatic identification system turned off when it was hit by Sea Baby naval drones operated by Ukraine's Security Service, known as the SBU. Explosions tore through the tanker's stern, igniting a fire and leaving it critically damaged and adrift in Ukraine's exclusive economic zone, according to an SBU source. Video footage released by the agency showed the drones approaching the ship and detonating on impact, with plumes of black smoke rising from the hull. Preliminary assessments indicate the Dashan has been put out of service, though no casualties were reported.

The Dashan, valued at around 30 million dollars, was estimated to have been carrying petroleum products worth approximately 60 million dollars. It had been sanctioned by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and...