Greek oil tanker damaged in suspected Black Sea drone attack as wars disrupt global shipping

A Greek oil tanker suffered damage in a suspected drone attack while navigating the Black Sea near the Russian port of Novorossiysk this week, highlighting the growing risks to commercial shipping in conflict-affected waters. The incident, which occurred as the vessel approached one of Russia's key oil export terminals, comes amid heightened tensions in the Black Sea region following the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine. While no group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, security analysts note the increasing use of unmanned aerial devices in maritime conflicts targeting commercial vessels. The tanker, whose specific name and ownership details were not released, reportedly sustained hull damage but remained afloat, with no reported casualties among the crew members. This attack underscores the broader challenges facing global shipping routes as regional conflicts intensify, potentially leading to increased insurance costs and disrupting vital energy supply chains.