Ukraine strikes Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker in Mediterranean for first time

Sources in Ukraine's Security Service reported this to Espreso.

"Ukraine's Security Service conducted a new unprecedented special operation at a distance of over 2,000 km from our country's territory. Following multi-stage operations in neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the SBU's Alpha unit struck the tanker QENDIL, part of Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet,' using aerial drones," Espreso's source said.

According to the source, at the time of the special operation, the Russian vessel was not carrying any cargo and was empty. Accordingly, this attack posed no threat to the environmental situation in the region.

"Russia used this tanker to circumvent sanctions and earn money that went toward the war against Ukraine. Therefore, from the standpoint of international law and the laws and customs of war, this is an absolutely legitimate target for the SBU. The enemy must understand that Ukraine will not stop and will strike them at any point in the world, wherever they may be," the SBU stated.

As a result of the attack, the tanker QENDIL sustained critical damage and cannot be used for its intended purpose.

• On the night of December 18, long-range drones from Ukraine's Security Service Special Operations Center Alpha successfully hit Russian air defense systems at Belbek military airfield in occupied Crimea, including a fully-loaded MiG-31 aircraft.