Ukrainian Navy confirms destruction of Russian tanker command post

The Navy shared the information on Facebook.

“The destruction of the Russian tanker Mekhanik Pogodin not only prevented the invaders from implementing their plans, but was also carried out in full compliance with the norms of International Humanitarian Law,” the Navy said.

The tanker with IMO No. 9598397, owned by the Russian entity VEB-Leasing OJSC based in St. Petersburg, which found itself on the sanctions list, was arrested in August 2018. This action was in line with the Ukrainian President's Decree, following the National Security and Defense Council's resolution on May 2, 2018, concerning the imposition and removal of economic and other restrictive measures. The arrest, authorized by the Kherson District Administrative Court, resulted in the tanker Mechanic Pogodin being detained at the Kherson seaport until summer 2023.

The vessel's situation dramatically changed after the detonation at the Kakhovka hydroelectric plant's dam by Russian forces, causing the Mechanic Pogodin to be stranded on the Kinburn Spit's shores, an area under temporary Russian control. Following this, the tanker was repurposed by Russian forces as a lookout and electronic warfare station. Additionally, it served as a launch site for FPV drone attacks targeting the Kherson region.

“It's important to highlight that the Mechanic Pogodin qualifies as a military target according to paragraphs 40 and 60(c) of the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea. The vessel was integrated into the enemy’s electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance, command, and communication frameworks,” the Navy’s statement explained.