Yuri Kobzar21:27, 28.11.25

THE BURNING SHIP KAIROS.

At least one of them had been hit by an explosion beforehand.

Two tankers belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet” are burning in the Black Sea near the Turkish Straits . One of them likely struck a mine. 

The Russian newspaper Izvestia, citing Turkey’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs, reported that an explosion occurred on board the tanker Kairos, followed by a massive fire. Turkish officials, however, were unable to determine what could have caused the explosion.

“We evacuated all 25 crew members safely and delivered them to medical facilities on shore. No injuries or deaths were recorded,” the department emphasized. The ship’s crew was said to be predominantly Chinese; there were no Russians on board. 

The Russians also claim the tanker was empty at the time of the incident. Turkish rescue vessels are currently working to extinguish the fire.

A little later, it became known that the tanker VIRAT was on fire near the Turkish coast. “We don’t know the cause of the incident. There are unconfirmed reports that the accident was caused by a collision or possibly an explosion. Then, thick smoke appeared from the engine room,” Turkish officials said.

The vessel’s 20-person crew was still awaiting tugboat service at the time of publication, although it was claimed the crew was “safe.”

According to Reuters , both tankers are part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to circumvent Western oil sanctions. Moreover, both vessels have already been added to sanctions lists.

“Reports indicate the vessel may have hit a mine and could sink,” Reuters adds about the Kairos tanker.

(c)UNIAN 2025