Three oil tankers linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet were hit by drones in the Black Sea near Turkey’s coast on May 28.

This was disclosed in a report by Reuters, citing the Tribeca shipping agency.

Russia’s shadow fleet, made up of older, often poorly insured vessels—is used to circumvent international sanctions on its oil exports.

Western officials have also expressed concern that these ships may be connected to broader Russian hybrid activities in Europe, including espionage and drone-related operations.

The vessels James II, Altura, and Velora were all located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) off northern Turkey at the time of the incident.

No crew members were reported injured.

Ukraine has not issued a formal comment on the reports, though long-range Ukrainian drones have previously targeted Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Mediterranean and along Turkey’s Black Sea coast in recent months.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Kyiv has repeatedly called on partners to tighten legislation to allow the seizure of vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet and to redirect profits from Russian oil exports toward European security efforts.
Several European countries have stepped up enforcement.

France has taken direct action against shadow fleet vessels in its waters, intercepting ships in late September 2025, late January, and again in late March as part of broader efforts to disrupt the network.

In early March, Belgium and France carried out a joint operation to seize a sanctioned Russian oil tanker sailing under the Guinean flag.

On March 25, the United Kingdom announced that its military and law enforcement agencies would be authorized to board Russian shadow fleet vessels operating in British waters.