A Ukrainian drone strike set a Liberian-flagged oil tanker carrying 23 Indian crew members ablaze off Russia’s Sochi coast on Tuesday evening, 6th October. All 23 crew members were rescued, with no injuries reported. The huge fire sent a thick cloud of black smoke over Sochi, a major Russian resort city.
The Russian Transport Ministry said the tanker was attacked by “naval drones” and that “crude oil is burning openly in the waters of the Black Sea.” The intensity of the fire initially made it difficult for firefighters to approach the vessel.
Videos and photographs from Sochi showed bright flames burning at sea and a large column of black smoke rising into the sky. Authorities restricted access to parts of the coastline and beaches as emergency teams dealt with the incident.
BREAKING: Ukraine has just struck an oil tanker, which is now burning off the coast of Sochi in Russia’s Krasnodar region, with a massive fire and a black smoke column rising several kilometres. https://t.co/yJZMuSy5Hv
— The Hormuz Letter (@HormuzLetter) October 6, 2026
23 Indian crew members rescued
According to the Russian Transport Ministry, all 23 people aboard the tanker were rescued. The entire crew consisted of Indian nationals. The vessel was identified in reports as the Liberian-flagged Aframax Rio.
The latest attack comes as commercial vessels operating in and around the Black Sea face growing risks because of the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Both Russia and Ukraine have carried out attacks affecting maritime infrastructure and commercial shipping in the region.
Ukraine has defended its attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as retaliation for Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities. Russia, meanwhile, has continued attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including ports and other facilities linked to trade.
Another commercial vessel attacked a day earlier
The latest tanker fire came just a day after another commercial vessel carrying Indian crew members was attacked in the Black Sea.
On Monday, 5th October, Turkish-owned MV Royad Mammadov, which was carrying corn towards Italy, came under a drone attack while sailing in the Black Sea. Ukraine accused Russia of carrying out the strike, saying the vessel was hit by Russian drones while in international waters. The exact circumstances of the attack remain under investigation.
Three Indian nationals were among the crew. The Indian Embassy in Romania confirmed that all three were safe, although one was injured and receiving medical treatment in Romania.
“All three Indian nationals are safe. We have spoken to them. One of them has been injured and is receiving medical attention. We are in close touch with the hospital authorities. We are extending all possible support for the welfare and wellbeing of the Indian crew members,” the embassy said.
Two foreign nationals were killed in the incident, while other crew members were rescued and taken for treatment. The vessel later sank.
Two more ships hit in Bulgaria’s Black Sea zone
In a separate incident, two commercial vessels were struck by drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea on Tuesday, 6th October.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan suffered severe structural damage and sank, while the Palau-flagged Able caught fire. Rescuers saved all 18 crew members aboard Able, though two sailors suffered serious injuries. Bulgarian authorities said they were still investigating the drones’ origin. “This is an unacceptable attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. It is a blatant violation of international law and maritime law,” Radev said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russia for the attack, saying Ukrainian authorities had checked the details with Bulgaria. Russia had not publicly accepted responsibility for the strike in the initial reports.
