A Liberian-flagged oil tanker, the Aframax Rio, caught fire off Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Tuesday evening after an attack by an unmanned vessel, according to Russia’s Transport Ministry. The ministry stated that the tanker, carrying crude oil, was struck at sea, and all 23 crew members—Indian nationals—were rescued without injuries. Firefighters initially struggled to approach the vessel due to the intensity of the blaze, which sent flames and thick black smoke over the coastline.
Videos and photos circulating on Russian social media showed bright orange flames offshore and a towering column of black smoke visible from Sochi. Authorities restricted access to beaches and sections of the coastline as smoke from the burning tanker spread toward the city. Dmitry Plishkin, head of the Sirius federal territory administration, said beaches would close temporarily and urged residents to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure and keep windows closed, adding that water and air quality were being monitored with Roshydromet.
The Aframax Rio, built in 2004, was identified by Ukrainian sources as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network of vessels used to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. The tanker was carrying oil from Novorossiysk to India and is listed under Ukraine’s sanctions but not those of the EU or its allies.
