Tanker Altura damaged in Black Sea attack

On March 26, 2026, the oil tanker Altura, managed by a Turkish firm and flying the flag of Sierra Leone, was reportedly attacked by naval drones in the Black Sea near the Bosphorus Strait. The vessel, which departed from Novorossiysk, Russia, on March 22 with approximately 140,000 tons of crude oil, suffered damage to its deck, engine room, and bridge, resulting in water ingress and a loss of propulsion. The tanker stopped maneuvering and began drifting around 15:50 UTC on March 25, prompting a rescue operation by Turkish authorities. All 27 crew members are reported to be safe. While the vessel is currently moving at a very low speed of 0.2 knots, it remains under tow. Turkish officials expressed deep concern, stating the attack occurred within their Exclusive Economic Zone and violated international law, while some reports link the vessel to a shadow fleet carrying Russian oil under European Union sanctions. Investigations into the incident are ongoing as Ankara considers its response.