Ukraine's Bold Strike: Second Sea Attack on Russian Tanker Sparks Tensions and Promises of Retaliation

Ukraine's attack on a Russian tanker in the Black Sea near Crimea has sparked promises of retaliation from Moscow. This is the second sea attack involving drones in one day, with Ukraine also striking a major Russian port earlier on Friday.

Moscow strongly condemned the attack, viewing it as a "terrorist attack on a civilian vessel." Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that there can be no justification for such actions and their authors will be punished.

The Black Sea has become an important battleground in the war as Kyiv's naval capabilities grow. Russia recently withdrew from an export agreement that allowed Ukraine to ship grain across the Black Sea, leading to repeated strikes on Ukrainian ports. In this latest attack, a sea drone filled with 450 kilograms of TNT was used.

The Russian tanker, called Sig, suffered damage to its engine room but no casualties were reported among the crew members. However, several crew members were wounded due to broken glass. Ukraine's Security Service confirmed its involvement in the attack on the tanker, stating that such special operations are conducted in Ukraine's territorial waters and are legal.

The attack briefly halted traffic on the Kerch Bridge and ferry transport. The tanker is under US sanctions for providing jet fuel to Russian forces in Syria. Shipping expert Jayendu Krishna believes that these attacks may increase the risk of Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports rather than pressuring Russia to halt its actions.

As a response to these attacks, Russia's Defense Ministry announced that it captured a settlement in Ukraine's Luhansk region. Additionally, a two-day summit aimed at finding a peaceful settlement to the war has commenced in Saudi Arabia. Around 40 countries, excluding Russia, are participating in the summit to discuss key principles for ending the conflict.

However, Russian officials have criticized the idea of making decisions about the conflict without Moscow's participation. The summit provides a platform for negotiations, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizing its importance in addressing food security and the well-being of millions of people.