On December 11, 2025, at 10:06 As Ukraine intensifies its operations against Russia's "secret tanker fleet," it has been reported that the last ship hit by maritime unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Black Sea was the Suezmax-type Dashan. This attack marks the third foreign-flagged tanker targeted within just one month.
December 11, 2025 10:06
As Ukraine intensifies its operations against Russia's "secret tanker fleet," it has been reported that the last vessel struck by maritime drones in the Black Sea was the Suezmax-type tanker Dashan. This attack marks the third foreign-flagged tanker to be incapacitated by maritime drones within just one month.
The 165,000 dwt-capacity Dashan, built in 2005, is known to have been sanctioned by the EU, UK, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland due to its past connections with Gatik Ship Management and its involvement in suspicious Russian oil trading. According to Equasis records, the vessel is currently listed as stateless and is believed to be operating under a false flag. At the time of the attack, the ship was reported to be heading towards Novorossiysk.
Videos shared on social media show two Sea Baby maritime drones consecutively striking the stern of the vessel, targeting the area beneath the engine room. This method is known to be a tactic previously employed by Ukraine, aimed at neutralizing the ship's propulsion while preventing oil spills. The footage reveals that the unladen Dashan was engulfed in thick smoke and flames, with the stern beginning to take on water.
Reports indicate that the tanker was moving at full speed within Ukraine's exclusive economic zone with its AIS (Automatic Identification System) turned off.
Ukrainian sources report that the initial assessment indicates "critical damage" and that the Dashan is out of service.
The Kiev administration has repeatedly emphasized that targeting Russia's energy logistics is a strategic priority. Recently, both vessels and port infrastructure have been regularly targeted, leading to significant increases in war risk insurance costs for ships heading to the Black Sea.
