Shadow Fleet Tanker Altura Struck by Drone 15NM from Bosphorus, Immobilised in Black Sea

The Sierra Leone-flagged suezmax tanker Altura (163,800 DWT) was struck by a drone approximately 15 nautical miles northeast of the Bosphorus after departing Novorossiysk, Russia, according to Turkish media. The vessel was carrying approximately 140,000 tonnes of crude at the time of the attack.

The strike caused damage to the bridge and engine room, with water ingress reported. A distress call from the vessel's captain described flooding in the engine room and key systems offline. Altura was left immobilised in the Black Sea. All 27 crew members are reported safe. Turkish coast guard units, patrol boats, and emergency response vessels were dispatched to the scene. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu confirmed no injuries and said technical teams had been sent to assist.

Authorities have not officially confirmed the cause, but early indications point to an unmanned aerial or surface vehicle. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility.

Altura is sanctioned by both the EU and the UK and has been identified as part of Russia's shadow fleet. The 2005-built tanker previously traded as Besiktas Dardanelles before being sold in 2024 and renamed. The vessel departed Novorossiysk prior to the strike.

The incident follows a series of attacks on Russian export infrastructure, including strikes on the Ust-Luga and Primorsk terminals in the Baltic, indicating a broadening campaign against Russia's oil logistics chain.

Turkish authorities and the vessel operator are assessing damage. No official investigation authority has been confirmed.