Russian tanker hit by UAV in Black Sea reaches Turkish port Photo/UPDATED

The Russian-flagged tanker Midvolga 2, which was struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle while sailing approximately 80 miles off Türkiye’s northern coast in the Black Sea, has now reached the port of Sinop under its own power, according to Rosmorrechflot.

Authorities said the tanker remained navigable following the strike and proceeded to the Turkish port without assistance, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

14:14

A Russian-flagged tanker carrying sunflower oil to Georgia was attacked by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while sailing roughly 80 miles off Türkiye’s northern coast in the Black Sea, according to Rosmorrechflot, Russia's Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport. 

The vessel, identified as the Midvolga 2, had earlier reported that it was en route from Russia to Georgia when the strike occurred, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

The agency said the ship sustained minor damage, with no water ingress. 

11:20 

A Russian-flagged tanker carrying sunflower oil to Georgia was attacked while sailing approximately 80 miles off Türkiye’s northern coast.

The vessel, identified as the Midvolga 2, said it was attacked while en route from Russia to Georgia, according to the Turkish Maritime Affairs Directorate, Caliber.Az reports. 

🚨MIDVOLGA-2 tankeri, Rusya'dan Gürcistan’a ayçiçek yağı yüklü olarak seyrederken kıyılarımızdan 80 mil açıkta saldırıya uğradığını bildirmiştir. Halihazırda 13 personelinde olumsuz durum olmayan geminin yardım talebi yoktur. Gemi, makineleri ile Sinop’a doğru seyir etmektedir. pic.twitter.com/Ov9tEeswEk

— DENİZCİLİK GENEL MÜDÜRLÜĞÜ (@denizcilikgm) December 2, 2025

The directorate noted that all 13 crew members were unharmed and that the ship had not requested assistance.

The tanker was continuing its journey toward the Turkish port city of Sinop under its own power, authorities added. 

On November 28, Ukrainian naval drones hit two sanctioned tankers in the Black Sea as they headed to a Russian port to load up with oil destined for foreign markets, as Kyiv tried to pile pressure on Russia's vast oil industry.

By Sabinan Mammadli