West Asia Maritime Security Crisis Tracker

Oil Tanker ALTURA Attacked off Bosphorus

The oil tanker ALTURA, carrying approximately 140,000 tons of crude oil from a Russian port, was attacked about 15 miles off the Bosphorus in the Black Sea.

Drone Attack on M/V RMS TEAM

The Turkish-operated cargo ship M/V RMS TEAM was struck by a drone in the Black Sea while en route from Gemlik, Türkiye, to Novorossiysk, Russia. The attack caused a major fire, leaving one crew member missing and 11 others rescued, with the ship likely beyond economical repair.

Romanian F-16 destroys explosive maritime drone near Neptun Deep

A drifting maritime drone loaded with explosives was spotted by a commercial vessel a few hundred meters from the Neptun Deep offshore gas platform in the Black Sea (roughly 80 nautical miles east of Constanța). A Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet was scrambled and successfully destroyed the uncrewed surface vessel using its onboard cannon to protect the platform's workers.

Explosive-Laden Maritime Drone Destroyed Near Neptun Deep

A Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet intercepted and destroyed a drifting maritime drone (unmanned surface vessel) packed with explosives in the Black Sea. The drone was spotted by a commercial vessel and engaged just a few hundred meters from the Neptun Deep gas platform, roughly 80 nautical miles east of Constanța.

Bulker Pounded by Five Drone Strikes in Black Sea

A merchant bulker was targeted and struck by five drones overnight in the Black Sea amid ongoing regional conflict.

Drone Swarm Strike on Bulk Carrier Victoria V

The Russian-flagged bulk carrier Victoria V was hit by a drone near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. This incident was part of a coordinated drone swarm that targeted multiple civilian and grain vessels in the area.

Russian Bulker Victoria V Attacked by Drones

The Russian-flagged bulk carrier Victoria V, capable of carrying 7,000 tons of grain, was attacked by drones near the port of Novorossiysk. The vessel was unladen at the time of the strike.

Five grain ships attacked by drones near Novorossiysk and Tuapse

Multiple bulk carriers were attacked by aerial drones near the Russian Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse. The Liberia-flagged Anna S suffered a fire on August 17, while the Malta-flagged Elina B and the Russian-flagged Victoria V were also among the vessels struck or damaged during the coordinated strikes on grain infrastructure and shipping.

Bulk Carrier Anna S Catches Fire Following Coordinated Drone Attack

The Liberia-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Anna S was attacked by five drones approximately 40 kilometers from the Russian port of Novorossiysk while sailing to load grain. The vessel was severely burned, though all 21 crew members emerged unharmed.

Bulker Anna S Hit by Five Drones Near Novorossiysk

The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Anna S was hit by five aerial drones approximately 20 nautical miles off Novorossiysk while en route to load grain. The attack caused a massive fire and major damage, forcing all 21 crew members to abandon the vessel safely.

Merchant Vessel Struck by UAV Off Novorossiysk

A merchant vessel was struck by a Ukrainian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) off the coast of the Port of Novorossiysk, Russia. Following the strike, black smoke was observed rising from the vessel's aft section, though no casualties were reported amongst the crew.

Suezmax Tanker Skiros Struck by Drone Near Novorossiysk

The Liberia-flagged Suezmax tanker Skiros suffered a fire on its bridge after being struck by a suspected Ukrainian drone in the Black Sea. The strike occurred shortly after the vessel had loaded a cargo of Russian-origin oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal.

Ukrainian drone strike on Novorossiysk naval base and port

Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale nocturnal drone operation targeting the Russian naval base and maritime infrastructure in Novorossiysk. The strikes damaged air defenses, piers, and at least two grain terminals, forcing one of the terminals to completely halt operations.

Major Ukrainian Drone and Missile Strike on Novorossiysk Naval Base

Ukrainian unmanned systems, including jet drones and Neptune missiles, launched a massive coordinated attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet's reactivated main base in Novorossiysk. The strike heavily damaged port infrastructure and at least four surface combatants, including the Project 11356R frigates Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov.

UAV Strike on Cargo Vessel in Odesa

A Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel was damaged during a Russian UAV strike at the Black Sea port of Odesa. One crew member was reported injured in the attack, as strikes intensified on commercial shipping in the region.

Türkiye Restricts Black Sea Passage for Vessels Bound for Novorossiysk

In response to escalating maritime strikes in the Black Sea and risks to civilian crews, the Turkish General Directorate of Maritime Security has imposed restrictions on commercial vessels navigating the Turkish Straits towards the Russian oil and grain export hub of Novorossiysk.

Unidentified Russian Cargo Vessel Sinks Near Novorossiysk

A 141-meter Russian vessel, suspected of transporting military cargo, sank overnight in the Black Sea near Novorossiysk. Defense monitors assess the sinking was the result of a targeted Ukrainian drone strike against Russian logistics and shadow fleet vessels.

Cargo Vessel Emil Targeted by Drone

The Liberian-flagged German cargo ship Emil was targeted by a Russian drone attack approximately 21 miles from Odesa in the Black Sea. The strike caused a fire on board and multiple technical systems failed, prompting the evacuation of the uninjured crew.

Drifting Mine Sighted Near Chornomorsk

Reports indicated a drifting sea mine was sighted close to the navigation channels leading into the port of Chornomorsk. Authorities issued warnings to all vessels operating in the vicinity.

Bulker EMIL Disabled by Drone Strikes

The German-owned, Liberian-flagged capesize bulk carrier EMIL was struck by multiple Russian drones approximately 21 nautical miles off Odesa. The attack ignited a fire and disabled the ship's technical systems; all 11 crew members safely evacuated.

Guinea-Bissau-flagged civilian ship struck off Odesa

A civilian vessel sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau and carrying Ukrainian wheat was struck by a Russian attack in the Black Sea off the coast of Odesa Oblast. The strike severely damaged the ship's hull and sparked a fire, resulting in one fatality and three injuries among the crew before they were safely evacuated.

Shadow fleet tankers VIRAT and KAIROS struck in Black Sea

Two Russian "shadow fleet" oil tankers caught fire in the Black Sea off the coast of Turkey after explosions. Naval drones reportedly struck the tanker VIRAT multiple times, while the KAIROS reportedly struck a mine, forcing total crew evacuations and leaving the vessels drifting.

Drone Attack on German-owned Cargo Ship EMIL

The Liberian-flagged, German-owned cargo ship EMIL was attacked by Russian drones approximately 21 nautical miles from the Ukrainian port of Odesa. The strike caused a fire that disabled the vessel's maneuvering systems; a secondary drone struck the ship during the safe evacuation of all 11 crew members.

Fatal Drone Attack on Cargo Vessel Mera Queen

The foreign-flagged cargo vessel Mera Queen was targeted by a drone attack in the Black Sea while carrying wheat. The attack sparked a fire on board and resulted in the death of one crew member, forcing the evacuation of the remaining crew.

Suspension of Ukrainian Shipping Corridors

An official advisory halted civilian vessel movements through the Ukrainian Black Sea shipping corridors due to the escalating threat of Russian missile and drone attacks. All port authorities were directed to suspend operations until further notice.

Drone Attack on Civilian Vessels in the Black Sea

A drone attack targeted two civilian vessels in the Black Sea, leaving several crew members injured. The incident prompted Türkiye to reiterate its concerns over maritime safety in the region.

Ro-Ro Nadezhda Drone Strike

The Turkish-owned Ro-Ro cargo vessel Nadezhda was struck by a drone about 20 nautical miles off the Russian port of Novorossiysk while sailing to Samsun. Three of the 22 crew members were reported to be in serious condition and were evacuated by Russian maritime units.

Ro-Ro Nadezhda Struck by Drones off Novorossiysk

The Cameroon-flagged ro-ro vessel Nadezhda was hit by drones 20 nautical miles off Novorossiysk while en route to Samsun, Türkiye. The attack damaged the vessel's living quarters and bow, injuring three crew members who were subsequently evacuated.

Turkish Cargo Ship Drone Attack

Official disclosures confirm a Turkish cargo ship was targeted in a drone attack, escalating tensions in the Black Sea.

Drone Strike on Cargo Ship Nadezhda

The Cameroon-flagged, Turkish-owned ro-ro cargo ship Nadezhda was struck by multiple drones approximately 20 nautical miles off the Russian port of Novorossiysk while en route to Samsun, Türkiye. The attack caused significant damage to the vessel's living quarters and bow, leaving at least three crew members seriously injured and forcing an evacuation.

FESCO Container Ship Yanina Sunk by USVs

The Russian-flagged feeder container ship Yanina, operated by Rosatom subsidiary FESCO, was struck by two Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in the eastern Black Sea. The vessel sustained serious damage and sank; all 17 crew members safely abandoned ship and were rescued.

Rosatom Container Ship Sunk by Naval Drones

A civilian container ship belonging to the Rosatom State Corporation was attacked and sunk by Ukrainian naval drones in the international waters of the Black Sea. All 17 crew members on board were reportedly rescued and are in satisfactory condition.

Tankers NISSOS SIFNOS and MARATHI Attacked

The crude oil tanker NISSOS SIFNOS was struck by a drone while loading at the CPC marine terminal in Novorossiysk, causing a fire. The vessel MARATHI was also attacked six nautical miles away while en route to receive oil.

Liberian-flagged vessel struck in Black Sea

A civilian Liberian-flagged vessel anchored in the Black Sea without crew or cargo was struck and damaged by a Russian attack for the third time, prompting condemnation from Ukrainian authorities.

Strike on Anchored Liberian Vessel

An anchored and unoccupied Liberian-flagged civilian vessel was hit by a Russian strike in the Black Sea while awaiting port operations.

Commercial Vessel Struck by Projectile

A commercial vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile in the southern region of the Black Sea, resulting in damage to the ship. The incident was documented by UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) amid a widening pattern of attacks on commercial shipping in the area.

Dry Cargo Ship GOLDEN LEO Sinks After Missile Attack

The foreign dry cargo ship Golden Leo sank approximately five nautical miles off the coast of Odesa due to severe damage sustained from a previous Russian cruise missile attack. Continuous environmental monitoring is underway.

MV Golden Leo Sinks Following Previous Missile Strike

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel MV Golden Leo, which sustained heavy damage from three cruise missiles on July 19, officially sank 5 nautical miles off the coast of Odesa. Environmental monitoring is actively underway for potential fuel and lubricant leaks.

Cargo ship Golden Leo sinks following missile strike

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Golden Leo sank in the Black Sea near Odesa due to severe hull damage sustained from a Russian cruise missile strike a week earlier.

Drone Strike on AGN Ragnar

The Palau-flagged general cargo ship AGN Ragnar was struck twice by drones off the coast of Odesa, igniting a fire that forced the evacuation of the crew and a pilot to shore.

Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Christiana B damaged by mine or drone off Romanian coast

During the night of 23–24 July 2026, the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Christiana B, carrying coal from Norfolk, USA to Ukraine, reported damage while sailing approximately 22 nautical miles south-east of Sfantu Gheorghe, within Romania's Exclusive Economic Zone. The distress call was transmitted via the international maritime communication channel and Romanian authorities were alerted through the MRCC of the Romanian Naval Authority. SAR vessels SAR APOLLO and SAR ARTEMIS were dispatched and an Interior Ministry helicopter carried out aerial reconnaissance. The ship's master reported no injuries and that the crew no longer required evacuation; the vessel was able to continue towards shore for inspection and repairs. Preliminary assessments indicated damage to cargo hold No. 6 was most likely caused either by the impact of a maritime drone or by the explosion of a naval mine.

Cargo Ship Christiana B Damaged in Black Sea

The Liberia-flagged commercial vessel Christiana B, carrying coal to Ukraine, was damaged by a suspected naval drone strike or sea mine explosion approximately 22 nautical miles southeast of Sfântu Gheorghe in Romania's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Explosion Damages Christina B off Romania

The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Christina B sustained damage to its No. 6 cargo hold from a suspected naval mine or drone explosion approximately 22 NM southeast of Sfântu Gheorghe in Romania's exclusive economic zone.

Fatal Drone Strike on Bulk Carrier Reyhan Sarı

The Turkish-flagged bulk carrier Reyhan Sarı was struck by a drone near the Russian port of Novorossiysk while transporting coal. The attack killed one crew member and wounded three others.

LPG Carrier Gas Lisbon Attacked off Romanian Coast

The Liberian-flagged LPG carrier Gas Lisbon caught fire following an explosion caused by multiple drone strikes about 20 nautical miles off Sfântu Gheorghe. The vessel sustained major damage, and one of the 17 evacuated crew members died from severe burns.

Propane Tanker Gas Lisbon Attacked off Romania

The Liberia-flagged propane tanker Gas Lisbon was attacked roughly 20 nautical miles from the Romanian coast while sailing toward the Ukrainian port of Reni. Three sailors were injured, and the entire crew was safely rescued.

UAV Strike on Tanker Nelsa

The Cameroon-flagged tanker Nelsa was struck by a drone while loading oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal near Novorossiysk. The attack sparked a fire that was extinguished, and 22 crew members were evacuated with no oil spill reported.

Missile Strike on MV Golden Leo

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged bulk carrier Golden Leo was struck by three Russian cruise missiles while departing Odesa. The attack ignited a fire and killed 10 people, including a Ukrainian maritime pilot and crew members from India and Syria.

Drone strike on transiting bulk carrier at 44°48'N 036°34'E – 2 injured

19 Jul 2026: Bulk carrier struck, likely by unmanned aerial drone, while transiting Black Sea at 44°48'N 036°34'E enroute to Russia. Damage to crew accommodation area and stern; small fires on bridge and C/D deck extinguished by crew. Master reported two (2) crew with minor injuries, receiving care.

Russian Missile Strike on Cargo Vessel Golden Leo

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Golden Leo was struck by three Russian cruise missiles after sailing from the Odesa region with a grain cargo. The vessel caught fire, resulting in the deaths of 10 crew members, including a maritime pilot.

Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Tankers at Novorossiysk CPC Terminal

Ukrainian drones attacked the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal, striking and setting ablaze the Liberia-flagged tanker Asia, the Marshall Islands-flagged Nissos Ios, and the tanker Nelsa. The attacks forced a temporary suspension of pipeline operations.

Attack on MV Golden Leo near Odesa

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel MV Golden Leo was targeted by a Russian strike shortly after departing Ukraine's port of Odesa, resulting in the deaths of four Indian crew members and critically injuring a fifth.

Sea-drone strike on transiting oil tanker at 42°20'N 032°44'E

18 Jul 2026: Oil tanker struck, likely by unidentified sea drone, while transiting Black Sea at 42°20'N 032°44'E. No injuries to crew and no casualties to major machinery. Damage assessment ongoing.

Cargo Ship Venturo Struck off Odesa Coast

The Antigua and Barbuda-flagged supramax Venturo lost propulsion after being hit by a Russian strike off the Odesa coast. Naval crews safely evacuated 17 Filipino seafarers from the incapacitated vessel.

Fatal Attack on MV OMORFI

The commercial vessel MV OMORFI came under attack while transiting the Black Sea, reportedly within Russian territorial waters. One Indian national serving as a crew member tragically lost his life.

Drone strike on transiting bulk carrier at 44°44.9'N 036°32.6'E

18 Jul 2026: Bulk carrier struck, most likely by unmanned aerial drone, while transiting Black Sea at 44°44.9'N 036°32.6'E. External structural damage and localized fires, extinguished by crew. No crew injured, no pollution, no cargo damage. Vessel departed area under own propulsion.

Merchant Vessel MV Omorfi Attacked

The merchant vessel MV Omorfi was targeted and attacked while transiting the Black Sea. The incident resulted in the death of an Indian seafarer, prompting heightened maritime security advisories.

Fatal Attack on MV Omorfi in Black Sea

The Marshall Islands-flagged commercial vessel MV Omorfi was attacked while transiting the Black Sea, reportedly in Russian territorial waters. The attack resulted in the death of an Indian crew member.

UAV strike on laid-up bulk carrier at Olvia seaport – 2 crew killed

17 Jul 2026: Bulk carrier struck, likely by unmanned aerial drone, while moored at Olvia seaport, Ukraine (laid up since 2022). Drone struck superstructure; fire broke out onboard. Master reported two (2) crew members killed. Damage assessment ongoing.

UAV strike on laid-up bulk carrier at Mykolaiv Sea Port

17 Jul 2026: Bulk carrier struck by unmanned aerial drone while moored at Mykolaiv Sea Port, Ukraine (since 2022). Drone struck aft portion; fire broke out and was extinguished by crew. No crew injured, no risk of pollution. Damage assessment ongoing.

UAV strike on laid-up bulk carrier at Mykolaiv shipyard

17 Jul 2026: Bulk carrier struck by unmanned aerial vehicle (likely drone) while at shipyard in Mykolaiv, Ukraine (since 2022). Drone struck superstructure; fire broke out, fought by ship's crew and state emergency services. No crew reported injured.

Drone strike on Liberian-flagged tanker off Novorossiysk

15 Jul 2026: Tanker attacked by aerial drones while drifting at 42°53'N 037°11'E awaiting berth at Novorossiysk, Russia. Damage to aft port section with hull damage and partial flooding in engine room; vessel on emergency power, tow arranged. No crew injured, no pollution reported.

Projectile strike on anchored tanker at 45°02.5'N 036°39'E – 3 injured

15 Jul 2026: Tanker struck by unknown projectile (likely UAV drone) while at anchor at 45°02.5'N 036°39'E. Deck fire consumed all fixed foam firefighting liquid; blast destroyed survival craft, damaged steel deck plates and hydraulic pipelines with minor hydraulic oil leak. Vessel enroute to shipyard for emergency repairs. Three (3) crew sustained minor injuries, transferred to local hospital.