Two sanctioned tankers exploded near Turkey: details of the incident.

According to ТСН: Two explosions occurred on tankers subject to international sanctions for transporting Russian oil in the Black Sea near the coast of Turkey.

The first incident happened with the tanker Kairos, which was returning to the Russian port of Novorossiysk after delivering oil to India. The vessel, sanctioned by the UK and EU, suffered serious damage from the explosion and fire, and there is a risk of it sinking.

The second tanker and rescue operations

The second tanker Virat is also subject to US and EU sanctions. For most of the year, it has been idle in the western part of the Black Sea and was not carrying cargo at the time of the explosion.

At the time of the incident, both vessels were empty. Rescue ships were sent to assist the victims.

Details of the explosion

According to Tribeca Shipping, the tanker Kairos detonated on a mine and there is a risk of it sinking. Shipping traffic through the Bosphorus Strait remains active for now.

Channel Z 'Evil Sailor' reports that one of the tankers may have been targeted by five unmanned boats.

'Hit in the engine room area. The compartment is flooding. Crew of 19 people - citizens of the Russian Federation,'

The Turkish channel Haber published a probable recording of a distress call from the crew of the tanker Virat, where the sailors reported an attack by maritime drones.

At this time, it is unknown what exactly happened to the Russian vessels. According to Bloomberg, the Spanish Navy warned that since the onset of the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine, there has been a high danger from floating mines in the Black Sea.

These events indicate rising tensions in the region as Russian tankers, often linked to circumvention routes due to sanctions, become targets for attacks. Recent incidents highlight the risks arising for shipping in the Black Sea and the need for enhanced security on waterways.