A Russia-bound oil tanker was attacked by drones in the Black Sea, forcing it to divert its route and seek assistance from the Turkish coastguard, according to maritime sources. The Palau-flagged vessel Elbus sustained damage to its engine room but reported no injuries or pollution. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region following recent drone attacks on tankers, though responsibility for the latest attack remains unclear. Reuters reports:

A Russia-bound oil tanker suffered a drone attack in the Black Sea that prompted it to request Turkish coastguard assistance and divert from its course, according to a notice by Lloyd’s List Intelligence and a separate maritime security source on Thursday.

Maritime data specialist Lloyd’s List Intelligence said the Palau-flagged Elbus vessel “experienced an unmanned marine-vehicle and drone attack” on Wednesday targeting its engine room, and that no injuries were reported among the 25 crew, nor any pollution. […]

The Black Sea is crucial for grain, oil and oil products shipping and its waters are shared by Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Georgia and Romania.

The vessel was headed on Wednesday to the Russian port of Novorossiysk from Singapore, the Lloyd’s notice said.

Marinetraffic data showed the Elbus had settled a few kilometres off the northern Turkish port of Inebolu on Thursday, after having diverted from its earlier eastward course across the Black Sea.

It dropped anchor at Inebolu anchorage under its own power, Lloyd’s said.

Calls to the Inebolu harbour master did not get through.

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