"Ukrainian forces used long-range drones to strike an oil tanker said to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time, a security source told Business Insider on Friday. The attack, carried out over 1,240 miles from Ukrainian territory, represents a dramatic expansion of Kyiv's push to target Russia's vast energy sector, a key source of revenue fueling its war machine."
"A source in the Security Service of Ukraine, the SBU, called the drone attack an "unprecedented special operation" that targeted and critically damaged the tanker Qendil. The source was only authorized to speak on the condition of anonymity to discuss military developments. The SBU source said the Qendil wasn't carrying any oil cargo at the time of the attack, so there isn't any risk to the environment. Footage shows several explosions on the exterior of the tanker."
"Publicly available ship-tracking data show that the Qendil was sailing under the flag of Oman. It's unclear when the attack took place; the vessel last reported its location on Friday sailing off the coast of Libya in the eastern Mediterranean. Neither Russia's defense ministry nor its US embassy immediately responded to a request for comment on the attack. Ukraine has attacked at least four tankers, including the Qendil, that have been identified as belonging to the "shadow fleet" since late November."
Ukrainian forces used long-range drones to strike and critically damage the oil tanker Qendil in the Mediterranean Sea, hitting targets over 1,240 miles from Ukrainian territory. The Qendil was identified as part of Russia's "shadow fleet" and was reportedly not carrying oil, minimizing environmental risk. Ship-tracking data showed the vessel sailing under the flag of Oman near Libya. The Security Service of Ukraine described the operation as an "unprecedented special operation." Ukraine has expanded strikes from land-based refineries and ports to tankers in the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and now the Mediterranean.
Read at Business Insider
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