The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced that it had carried out one of the most unusual and widely discussed special operations in recent years. According to the agency’s official statement, a tanker belonging to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” was destroyed for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 2,000 kilometers away from Ukrainian territory.
The vessel in question was the tanker Qendil. It was reported that as a result of a multi-stage and carefully planned operation, the tanker was struck in neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea by aerial drones of the SBU’s Special Operations Center. The operation was reportedly conducted using precise intelligence data and complex logistics.
According to the SBU, the tanker was sailing without cargo at the time of the attack. Therefore, it was emphasized that the strike posed no threat to the environmental situation in the region. This factor, the service noted, was taken into account separately.
As a result of the strike, the QENDIL tanker sustained serious damage and can no longer be used for its intended purpose. The vessel has effectively been taken out of operation.
According to navigation data provided by Bloomberg, the oil tanker was sailing under the flag of Oman. It departed from India and was heading toward Russia’s port of Ust-Luga. The Ukrainian side claims that such vessels were used by Russia to bypass sanctions and generate funds for the war against Ukraine.
Local media, citing sources within the SBU, reported that “the aggressor state used this tanker to carry out illegal financial operations.” For this reason, from the standpoint of international law as well as the laws and customs of war, Qendil was considered a legitimate military target for the SBU. Sources stressed that “the enemy must understand that Ukraine will not stop and is capable of striking anywhere in the world, regardless of distance.”
The incident also prompted a response from the Russian side. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during his annual press conference in Moscow that he had been informed about the strike on the Qendil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea and promised retaliation.
“Information has just come in: another one of our tankers has been attacked in the Mediterranean Sea. This will not go unanswered,” Putin said.
According to the Russian president, such actions “will never lead to the expected result, will not disrupt supplies, and will ultimately create additional risks.” Putin also warned that such moves could lead to unprecedented escalation and potentially turn into a broader conflict.
Thus, the incident in the Mediterranean Sea indicates that the Ukraine–Russia confrontation is entering a new and more dangerous phase.
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