Cyprus-linked tanker ablaze off Sochi after Black Sea drone attack

A Cyprus-linked crude oil tanker caught fire off Russia’s Black Sea coast near Sochi after being struck by unmanned vessels, with all 23 crew members rescued as attacks on commercial shipping in the region intensify. The Liberian-flagged Aframax Rio, linked to Cypriot shipowner Andreas Hadjiyiannis, was attacked on Tuesday, according to Russia’s Transport Ministry. The ministry said the vessel was struck by unmanned surface vessels, causing a major fire. All 23 crew members, who are Indian nationals, were rescued, with no injuries reported. The blaze initially prevented emergency crews from approaching the tanker, while authorities in the nearby Sirius federal territory temporarily closed beaches and advised residents to remain indoors. The fire was later brought under control. The Aframax Rio, IMO 9273844, was built in 2004 and has a deadweight capacity of 107,113 tonnes. Shipping records identify Rio Enterprises SA as the registered owner, while Hellenic Tankers Co Ltd is listed as manager. Hellenic Tankers was founded and is chaired by Andreas Hadjiyiannis, according to the Shipping Deputy Ministry. Hadjiyiannis served as president of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners (CUS) before Polys Hajioannou took over in 2025. He currently serves as vice-president, according to the union’s executive committee. The tanker has also been targeted by Ukrainian sanctions over its involvement in Russian oil trade. Ukraine placed the Rio on its sanctions list in February 2026, as part of a package targeting 91 vessels Kyiv says form part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The wider list covers vessels operating from Russian ports including Novorossiysk, Ust-Luga and Primorsk. Shipping data show the Rio continued trading from Russian ports this year, including a May voyage from Novorossiysk to Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. However, the origin and destination of the cargo on board at the time of Tuesday’s attack have not been officially confirmed. The incident comes amid a sharp rise in attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Also on Tuesday, drones struck two commercial vessels in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, with one vessel sinking and another catching fire, according to Bulgarian authorities. A day earlier, a merchant vessel was struck in Romania’s exclusive economic zone, prompting another rescue operation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attacks on civilian shipping, warning of the growing risks to commercial vessels and their crews. No party had claimed responsibility for the attack on the Rio by Wednesday, while Russian authorities had not publicly identified who operated the unmanned vessels.