Ukrainian Naval Drones Hit Sanctioned Tanker Near Russian Tuapse

Ukrainian naval drones struck a sanctioned tanker near Tuapse, hitting its engine area. The vessel was drifting without cargo and likely awaiting a covert transfer. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (For illustrative purposes) This aerial photo taken on March 15, 2026, shows the wreck of a Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Arctic Metagaz, which is adrift between Malta and Lampedusa. (Photo by Miguela XUEREB / Newsbook Malta / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google A unit of the Ukrainian Navy struck the sanctioned tanker Marquise with naval drones near Tuapse on the morning of Wednesday, April 29, Ukraine’s General Staff reported. According to a Telegram statement, the Cameroon-flagged tanker, with a capacity of over 37,000 tons, was drifting without cargo at the time of the strike. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The vessel was located about 210 km (130 miles) from Russian Tuapse with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) turned off and was likely awaiting a ship-to-ship transfer. The drones hit the stern, with an explosion reported in the propeller and engine room area. The extent of the damage is still being assessed. The Marquise is under sanctions by Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Canada, and has been used by Russia to transport petroleum products. Meanwhile, authorities in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai said the fire at the Tuapse refinery , owned by Rosneft, was contained early Wednesday morning. “The fire was contained at 07:05. As of the morning of April 29, 312 personnel and 73 pieces of equipment were involved in extinguishing the emergency, including units from the regional directorate of Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations,” the report said. The fire broke out on Tuesday after a drone strike hit an oil refinery and a nearby marine terminal in Tuapse, prompting evacuations amid fears of an environmental disaster. Other Topics of Interest Bomb Blast Targets Russian Bucha Commander Accused of War Crimes A Russian officer accused of involvement in Bucha atrocities was reportedly targeted in an explosion at a military garrison in Russia’s Far East, according to a Russian Telegram-linked outlet. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the strike, saying Ukrainian forces targeted the refinery as part of efforts to reduce Russia’s “military-economic potential.” A fire broke out at the site, with damage assessments ongoing. Subsequent reports indicated that burning petroleum products spilled from damaged tanks onto nearby roads, damaging several vehicles. Russian outlet Astra, citing eyewitness footage, said fuel leaked from large storage tanks and spread along a city street. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Emergency Situations Minister Aleksandr Kurenkov to fly to the area. Authorities declared a state of emergency in the Tuapse Municipal District. The strike marked the third attack on the refinery in less than two weeks, following earlier hits on April 16 and April 20 that caused major fires and disrupted operations at one of Russia’s key Black Sea fuel export facilities. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.