The Ukrainian security service, the SBU, claimed responsibility on Friday December 19 for an unprecedented attack against an oil tanker associated with the Russian “ghost fleet”, carried out on the high seas off the coast of Crete and Libya. According to kyiv, this is the first operation of this type carried out by drones at a distance of approximately 1,400 kilometers from Ukrainian territory.
In a short video montage released by the SBU, thermal images show one or more drones hitting the deck of the tanker Candlecausing several explosions. Ukrainian authorities say the damage is significant and the ship is now unusable, although it is not possible to independently verify the extent.
The SBU says the operation was carried out by its special unit “Alpha” in international waters. The service specifies that the tanker was empty at the time of the attack and that no environmental risk was to be feared. He also claims that the ship was a legitimate target under international law, stressing that Ukraine intends to strike Russian interests “wherever they are”.
On the side of Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced an operation aimed above all at increasing maritime insurance premiums, while warning that a Russian response would come.
According to data from the maritime tracking site MarineTraffic, the Candlewhich was heading towards the Strait of Gibraltar, abruptly changed course after the attack. The ship was then more than 250 kilometers from the nearest coast, between Crete and Libya, and appears to have headed towards the eastern Mediterranean.
According to available data, the ship, under its former name Ioniahas been on the sanctions lists of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland and Ukraine since the summer of 2025, in connection with its alleged involvement in embargoed Russian oil exports.
R.B.H
