Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Ukraine strikes Russian tanker in Mediterranean
Ukraine used drones to attack a Russian tanker called the Qendil in the Mediterranean Sea.
This is the first time Ukraine has struck a Russian ship so far away from their country.
The tanker was empty when it was hit, and the attack caused serious damage.
A Ukrainian security official told this news to Reuters.
The tanker was part of a group of ships that Russia uses secretly to export oil and fund its war.
Russia calls these attacks piracy and has threatened to block Ukraine's access to the Black Sea.
Ukraine struck the Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker Qendil in the Mediterranean Sea using aerial drones.
This is the first time Ukraine has attacked a Russian vessel so far from Ukraine, over 2,000 km away.
The tanker was empty and suffered critical damage from the drone attack.
The Qendil was en route from the Indian port of Sikka to the Russian port of Ust Luga.
Russia condemns the attacks as piracy and has threatened to sever Ukraine's access to the Black Sea.
- Who
- Ukraine
- What
- Strike on Russian tanker Qendil
- When
- December 19, 2023
- Where
- Mediterranean Sea, off Libya’s coast
- Why
- To disrupt Russian shadow fleet operations and reduce oil revenue funding the war
Ukraine
Russia
Legitimacy of Attacks
Ukraine
Ukraine views the attacks as necessary to disrupt Russia's oil exports and funding for the war.
Russia
Russia condemns the attacks as acts of piracy and threatens to sever Ukraine's access to the Black Sea.
- Target
- Qendil tanker
- Location
- Mediterranean Sea
- Distance from Ukraine
- 2,000+ km (1,243+ miles)
- Attack Method
- Aerial drones
- Damage
- Critical
- Cargo Status
- Empty
- Reporting Source
- Ukraine's SBU security service
- Vessel Route
- From Indian port of Sikka to Russian port of Ust Luga
- Shadow Fleet
- Unregulated ships aiding Russia's oil exports despite sanctions
