Moscow, October 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Liberian-flagged oil tanker carrying an all-Indian crew caught fire after an attack by what Russian authorities described as naval drones off Russia’s Black Sea coast, with all 23 crew members rescued.
The vessel, identified as the Aframax Rio, was attacked on Tuesday near Sochi, according to Russia’s Transport Ministry. The ministry said the attack triggered a fire involving crude oil aboard the tanker, while the intensity of the blaze initially prevented firefighters from approaching the vessel.
All 23 crew members, all Indian nationals, were safely evacuated and there were no reported injuries among them, according to Russian authorities. Firefighters were expected to make further efforts to contain the blaze after its intensity reduced.
Videos circulating online showed flames burning at sea and a thick column of black smoke rising near Sochi. Local authorities also restricted access to nearby beaches as a precaution following the incident.
The attack adds to growing concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, where vessels and maritime infrastructure have increasingly been caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The incident came amid reports of other commercial vessels being targeted in the region. A separate merchant vessel was damaged in a Russian strike on Tuesday, while other ships were reportedly hit by drones off the Bulgarian coast. Ukraine has denied responsibility for some of those attacks.
The latest tanker fire is particularly significant for India because of the large number of Indian seafarers working on international commercial vessels. It also comes amid heightened risks for shipping routes in and around the Black Sea as Russia and Ukraine continue their attacks on each other.
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