Newsflash from Saturday, 20 December 2025: Ukraine Claims Drone Strike on Russian Tanker Near Crete.
Ukraine’s security services have claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a Russian oil tanker operating in the eastern Mediterranean, with vessel-tracking data placing the ship roughly 100 kilometers southwest of Crete at the time of the incident.
According to publicly available maritime tracking information and reporting by international media, the tanker Qendil—described as part of Russia’s so‑called “shadow fleet”—had departed India on December 1 without cargo and was en route to a port near St. Petersburg. The vessel was expected to arrive early in the new year. However, late on Thursday evening, December 18, the ship made a sudden 180-degree course change off the coast of Crete.
Marine traffic data indicates that the Qendil altered course around 23:00 GMT, while positioned approximately 102 kilometers (64 miles) southwest of the Greek island. Shortly afterward, the vessel was reportedly struck.
A source within Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) told media outlets, including the BBC, that Ukraine carried out the strike using unmanned aerial vehicles. The official said the tanker was being used by Russia to bypass international sanctions and help finance Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
“The SBU struck the Russian oil tanker Qendil with unmanned aerial vehicles,” the source said, adding that the operation took place more than 2,000 kilometers from Ukrainian territory. No further details were provided regarding the launch location of the drones or the airspace they may have crossed.
💥#СБУ вперше уразила #танкер "тіньового флоту" РФ у нейтральних водах Середземного моря на відстані 2 тис. км.
Було уражено повітряними безпілотниками танкер так званого "#QENDIL". Він отримав критичні ушкодження і не може використовуватися за призначенням. pic.twitter.com/QpmUajNNLK
Importantly, Ukrainian officials emphasized that the tanker was empty at the time of the attack, meaning there was no environmental threat from an oil spill. While no injuries were reported, the vessel allegedly sustained significant damage and is no longer capable of completing its mission.
“The enemy must understand that Ukraine will not stop striking it anywhere in the world, wherever it may be,” the SBU source added.
The incident underscores the expanding geographic scope of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as well as growing scrutiny of Russia’s maritime logistics. Western governments and analysts have increasingly focused on the so‑called shadow fleet—older tankers often operating under opaque ownership structures—used to transport Russian oil while evading sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
Greek authorities have not publicly commented on the incident, and there has been no indication that Greek territorial waters were involved. The attack reportedly occurred in international waters, south of Crete.
As the war continues, the strike highlights Ukraine’s stated intent to target Russian economic and logistical assets far beyond the front lines, signaling that the maritime domain remains a critical and increasingly contested arena in the conflict.
NORMAN 'KRETANER': After more than 20 years on the ‘Island’ and having gained a lot of experience here, CreteTip does not only present you the beautiful holiday (dream) world as most travel or tourist websites do, but the reality, which is often not as colorful as on the glossy photos of the travel portals. Hence, the effort of a long-time inhabitant of the island to provide objective and unbiased reports about sights, excursions and holiday destinations, news, tips and also problems directly from the largest Greek island !
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