UPDATE01 AND CORRECTION: Ambrey subsequently observed additional video footage of the attack that showed one UAV struck forward of the accommodation block. The footage placed the location of the attack 18.9 NM southeast of Chornomorsk, Ukraine. Ambrey has corrected the incident coordinates to the following:
46° 7′ 22.152N, 31° 2′ 17.088E.
All eleven crew members are confirmed uninjured. At the time of writing, the tanker had reportedly resumed its original transit.
Russian forces launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on a Tuvalu-flagged, Turkish-owned tanker transiting off the coast of Odesa Oblast, Ukraine. The vessel was reportedly en route from the port of Yuzhnyi, Ukraine, to Egypt, laden with a consignment of sunflower oil. Ambrey observed satellite imagery dated 13 December which showed the tanker departing the port at 09:18 UTC. The vessel was subsequently attacked by three Geran-3 type fixed-wing UAVs while transiting the Ukrainian maritime grain corridor. One UAV reportedly struck forward of the accommodation block, one struck the bow, and one fell into the sea. Video footage of the aftermath showed debris from the UAV which struck forward of the accommodation block, including the engine, and indicated extensive thermal damage to the forward-facing sections of the accommodation block. Fire hoses were rigged in an effort to dampen down following the incident. No casualties among the Turkish crew members were reported at the time of writing.
ADVICE: Vessels conducting Black Sea port calls are advised to conduct comprehensive dynamic voyage threat assessments. The crew is advised to remain within the designated Safe Muster Point (SMP) during UAV attacks. The SMP should be located above the waterline, amidships, and low-down in the superstructure.
