The 274m long Kairos tanker was en route from Egypt to Russia when it suddenly exploded and caught fire, Turkish authorities said on November 28. Rescue ships promptly evacuated 25 crew members of this ship.
Meanwhile, the 250m-long Virat began receiving thick black smoke from the engine room after being attacked at a point further east of the coast. All 20 crew members are safe, according to information from Turkish authorities.
The cause of this mysterious series of explosions has not been determined. However, Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said he had received reports that this was a result of external impact.
It could be mines, unmanned aerial vehicles or unmanned ships at sea. It is possible, said Abdulkadir Uraloglu.
Both ships are flying the Gambia flag and are believed to belong to the shadow fleet - a network of ships that Russia is said to be using to circumvent Western sanctions against Russian oil. Hundreds of ships are believed to belong to the shadow fleet network, mostly old ships with incomplete safety records and limited insurance.
The Kairos is under sanctions from the EU and UK, while the Virat is blacklisted by the US and EU.
Turkish authorities confirmed that the two ships were not carrying oil at the time of the incident, so there was no risk of pollution in the Black Sea.
This is the latest in a series of mysterious explosions targeting Russian-related vessels in waters such as the Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea... this year. In July, the Eco Wizard exploded in the Baltic Sea, causing am am am am amoniac leakage.
In most cases, the cause of the explosion has not been determined. In recent years, many ships in the Black Sea have hit naval mines, even floating mines at sea.
Some analysts suspect Ukraine's involvement. Kiev, for its part, declined to comment. After the explosion on the Vilamoura ship in June, Ukrainian military intelligence only confirmed the incident without providing further details.
In recent times, Ukraine has developed a force of drones and long-range drones capable of attacking Russian warships, seaports and infrastructure in the Black Sea.
Minister Uraloglu stressed that Turkey is particularly vigilant as the latest explosions occurred very close to the country's waters. The Bosporus Strait - a strategic shipping route for goods, including Russian oil exported from the Black Sea, is generally open to trade activities during the conflict in Ukraine.
