Russian shadow fleet tanker Kairos, hit by drones, drifts off the coast of Bulgaria
Last week, maritime drones attacked the tanker Kairos — a vessel of the Russian "shadow fleet," which, according to tracking data, was heading to a port in Russia. As a result of the strike, the ship caught fire.
According to The Public citing Bloomberg and other international media, it became known today that Kairos was near the Bulgarian coast, approximately one mile from the town of Ahtopol. The crew of 10 people received permission to evacuate — the lives of the people are not at risk, reported the Bulgarian Maritime Administration and the Navy.
According to reports, the tanker no longer has cargo, so there is no threat of an environmental disaster. The situation is under control today.
Bulgarian maritime services and border guards are monitoring the condition of the vessel. Two tugboats and a rescue team are ready to begin evacuation and towing as soon as weather conditions permit.
The strike on Kairos and another tanker — Virat — was one of the first cases where Ukrainian maritime drones targeted not only stationary energy facilities but also mobile elements of the Russian transportation system.
This is part of a broader campaign aimed at undermining Russia's ability to export oil and bypass sanctions, while also increasing risks for the so-called "shadow fleet."
