Ukrainian drone attack hits oil tanker, coastal infrastructure in Russia

A Liberian-flagged oil tanker was struck by Ukrainian drones in Russian waters, injuring the ship’s captain, as a wider wave of attacks caused casualties and damage across the Krasnodar region, Russian authorities said.

The Investigative Committee of Russia reported that the tanker was hit during the attack, leaving its captain—a Turkish citizen—injured and taken to hospital, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media. 

Regional officials earlier confirmed a related incident in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk, where debris from a drone struck a civilian vessel, causing a fire that was quickly put out. Veniamin Kondratyev said one person was injured.

The attack was part of a larger drone strike across Krasnodar Krai. In the city of Tuapse, seven people were injured and two were killed, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency.

The Investigative Committee said it has opened a criminal case on charges of terrorism following the incidents. Officials reported damage to homes, port facilities, and civilian vessels.

Additional damage was recorded in nearby areas, including the village of Dagomys in the Lazarevsky district of Sochi, where a kindergarten building was damaged. In the village of Loo, several private homes were also affected.

By Sabina Mammadli