Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] 21.20 At the end of December, the occupiers plan to officially open the so-called "restored building" of the Mariupol Drama Theater, the city council of Ukrainian Mariupol reports. The performances are scheduled for December 27. These premieres will cynically be played at the site of one of the greatest tragedies.
20.34 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in an evening video address on Saturday, November 29, that he would sign decrees on new sanctions the next day. These are sanctions, joint with partners, so that "the world puts pressure on the aggressor exactly as needed to weaken Russia's ability to wage war."
19.20 In Mykolaivka, Kramatorsk district, Donetsk region, a hostile drone damaged the building of a fire and rescue unit. This was reported on Saturday, November 29, by the press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. It is reported that rescuers and equipment were not injured. Despite the threats, the State Emergency Service units continue their service and help people.
18.33 After another strike by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the Russian city of Novorossiysk, Kazakhstan began to urgently look for ways to redirect oil exports, the press service of the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan reports.
18.10 The Center for National Resistance reports that the occupiers are restricting the access to medical services for holders of “DPR” passports. The occupation administration is using outdated Russian decrees as cover, although the new rules are the same - without a Russian passport, you simply won't be treated.
16.55 Since the beginning of the day, the total number of combat clashes along the entire front line is 157. In the Pokrovsky direction today, the enemy attacked the positions of our defenders 56 times. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in an operational summary as of 16:00 on Saturday, November 29.
16:30 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the report of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal on Saturday, November 29.
"Several key elements. It is time to change the basic documents on the defense of Ukraine, in particular the defense plan of our state. The course of hostilities has demonstrated what exactly should become the updated priorities. It was agreed that Denys would prepare detailed proposals for changes and submit them to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for approval. The Minister of Defense also reported on business trips to Mykolaiv and Kherson regions, protection measures. We separately discussed the protection of critical infrastructure and the allocation of relevant resources," the report says.
14.53 In the village of Mezhova, during a night shelling, a Russian guided aerial bomb (KAB) hit the largest educational institution in the community - Mezhova Lyceum No. 1. This was reported on December 29 by the Department of Humanitarian Policy of the Dnipro City Council. It is noted that the lyceum, where about 450 children studied, was completely destroyed.
14 20 SeaBaby drones of the Security Service of Ukraine hit two sanctioned oil tankers KAIRO and VIRAT in the Black Sea, belonging to the shadow fleet of the Russian Federation. This was reported by Ukrinform on November 29, citing a source in the SBU. It is noted that this was a joint operation of the 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence of the SBU with the Naval Forces of Ukraine. After the hits, both tankers received critical damage and were actually taken out of service. During the attack, the sanctioned vessels were empty - they were heading for loading at the port of Novorossiysk.
13.22 As a result of a Russian air strike, the territory of a cemetery in the Saltivskyi district of Kharkiv was damaged. This was reported by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office on November 29. It is noted that the previous evening, the Russians carried out an air strike on Kharkiv. In the Saltivskyi district, a hit was recorded on the territory of a cemetery: monuments, graves, and road surface were damaged.
13.07 On the morning of November 29, unmanned boats completely disabled the mooring device of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) Marine Terminal in Novorossiysk, as a result of which the shipment of oil was stopped. This was reported by the Astra Telegram channel with reference to the CPC press service. The consortium stated that the attack by unmanned boats significantly damaged the CPC's remote mooring device, stating that it is beyond repair. The head of the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council, Andriy Kovalenko, also reported that sea drones managed to destroy one of the three oil loading berths of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium in the Novorossiysk area.
12.50 The number of people injured in the Russian attack on Kyiv has risen to 37. Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced this on November 29. According to him, 15 injured people are currently in hospitals. Two people have died.
12.38 As a result of the massive Russian attack on November 29, damage was recorded in four districts in the Kyiv region. The State Emergency Service reported this, publishing photos of the consequences of the shelling. As of 11:00, 33 locations with destruction were recorded in the Obukhiv, Fastiv, Buchanan, and Brovar districts. One person died, eight were injured.
12.20 Russian troops attacked energy infrastructure facilities in Kyiv, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava and Kharkiv regions with missiles and drones. This was announced by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on November 29.
11.25 Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine on the night of November 29, using 36 missiles of various types and 596 drones. Air defense forces shot down most of the enemy targets. This was reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to preliminary data, as of 10.30, air defense forces shot down/suppressed 577 air targets:
558 enemy Shahed, Gerbera type UAVs (other types of UAVs);
1 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile;
12 Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles;
4 Iskander-M ballistic missiles;
2 Kh-59/69 guided aircraft missiles.
Missile hits and 35 strike drones were recorded at 22 locations, as well as the fall of downed aircraft (debris) at 17 locations.
10.41 After a massive Russian attack in Kyiv, 500,000 consumers were left without electricity, and about 100,000 in the region. This was reported by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine on November 29. It is noted that the enemy carried out a massive missile and drone strike on energy infrastructure facilities in Kyiv, as well as in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava and Kharkiv regions.
10.20 Russian troops attacked energy infrastructure in Chernihiv with a strike drone, causing a fire. This was reported by the head of the Chernihiv OAO, Vyacheslav Chaus.
9.56 Over the past 24 hours, 311 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded at the front. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on November 29. The missile troops and artillery of the Defense Forces struck the area of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment and two artillery units at Russian positions.
9.07 In the Troitsky community of Pavlohrad district, an 83-year-old woman was injured in an attack by Russian drones, and houses, a gas pipeline, and a power line were damaged. This was reported by the acting head of the Dnipropetrovsk OVA, Vladyslav Gaivanenko, on November 29.
8.39 Russian troops have been massively attacking Kyiv with drones and missiles since night. As a result of the shelling, two people died, the number of wounded increased to 13 people. This was reported by the KMVA on November 29. It is noted that one child is among the wounded. Later, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported that the number of wounded increased to 15 people.
8.10 As a result of the Russian attack, Fastiv, Kyiv region, was cut off from power. This was reported by the head of the regional state administration, Mykola Kalashnyk, on November 29. According to him, the consequences of the Russian attack were recorded in 5 districts of the region. In the Brovary district, six high-rise buildings were damaged. In one of them, the floors between the 8th and 9th floors were destroyed. 52 people were evacuated from the building, including three children.
7.47 Over the past 24 hours, the Defense Forces of Ukraine killed and wounded 910 Russian occupiers. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on November 29. It is noted that the total combat losses of the Russian invaders from 24.02.22 to 29.11.25 were approximately 1,171,700 people.
06.05 For the second time in the night, the sounds of explosions were heard in the capital. Kyiv is being attacked by a second massive wave of drones. Air defense is working on the enemy "shaheeds". In the Obolonsky district, a drone damaged residential buildings in the private sector - in several locations. This was reported by the head of the KMVA, Timur Tkachenko.
05.36 Nine locations have been recorded with the consequences and damage from the attack on Kyiv on the night of Saturday, November 29. The State Emergency Service provided operational information regarding the enemy shelling of the capital. One person was killed. Seven people were injured, including a child. Emergency workers managed to save four people, including a child and a person with limited mobility.
04.48 As a result of the night Russian shelling in Brovary on Saturday, November 29, a high-rise building and a private house were damaged. The roof of one of the local shopping centers was also damaged. At least three people were injured, including one person hospitalized. This was reported by the mayor of Brovary, Ihor Sapozhko.
04.19 On the night of Saturday, November 29, two drones were spotted in the airspace of the Republic of Moldova, crossing the border from Ukraine. This incident led to the temporary suspension of air traffic and increased security measures in the region.
03.50 In Kyiv, one person has been confirmed dead during a nighttime Russian attack that occurred on Saturday, November 29. The number of injured has increased to seven, including a child, the Kyiv City Military Administration reports.
02.20 A Ukrainian delegation has left for the United States for talks with representatives of President Donald Trump's team. The delegation includes Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia. The main topic of discussions will be the peace plan proposed by the Trump administration.
01.48 Kyiv city authorities have released the first data on the consequences of the Russian attack on the capital. There is information about at least six locations with damage in different areas of the city. This is residential infrastructure - multi-storey buildings and the private sector. There are victims. There were also reports of emergency power outages due to the attack on energy facilities in the capital.
01.28 In Kazan, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, on the night of Saturday, November 29, powerful explosions were heard, according to local sources. As a result of the explosions and bright flashes, the city was in a complete blackout.
01.01 A series of explosions were heard in Kyiv and the region on the night of November 29. The region was attacked by enemy drones. There is damage to a residential high-rise building, and there are consequences of an enemy attack in two locations in Kyiv. This was reported by the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Timur Tkachenko
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] On Pokrovsky today the enemy directly attacked the positions of our defenders 56 times. Until now, ten combat battles are taking place.
The ZSU General Staff published operational information ahead of the Russian invasion of the country at 16:00 Saturday, November 29.
From the beginning of the battle, the number of military units on the entire front line is 157.
On the Pivnichno-Slobozhansky and Kursk direct routes from the beginning of the battle, several air strikes were launched, dropping six ceramic bombs, as well as 60 shelling of our military positions settlements, zokrema three - from multiple launch rocket systems.
On the Pivdenno-Slobozhansky direct line today, the enemy attacked the positions of the Defense Forces six times near the settlements of Vovchansk, Vovchansky Khutori, Kolodyazne and near Kutkivka, two fears were encountered.
On the Kup'yansky direct our soldiers defeated the enemy's offensive actions near the settlements of Pishchane, Kolisnikovka, Novoplatonivka and near the bay of Novaya Kruglyakivka, Glushkivka and Petropavlovka. Another battle is troubling.
On the Limansky direct today, the aggressor attacked 17 times near the settlements of Novojegorivka, Kopanki, Novovodyany, Serednya, Karpivka, Derilov, Novoselivka, Kolodyazi, Zarichne and near Stepovoy. 11 combat zatkne trivayut.
On the Slovyansky direct, our soldiers defeated five out of seven enemy attempts to get in front of the settlement areas of Yampil and Serebryanka. Fights are being fought.
On the Kramatorsk Direction, the defense forces launched several attacks near Chasovy Yar, Novomarkovo and Vasyukivka.
On Kostiantynivka, the enemy directly attacked the positions of our troops near the areas of Oleksandro-Shultiny, Shcherbinivka, Pleshchivka, Yablunivka, Rusyn Yar and near Sofiivka. The defense forces successfully repelled 14 hostile attacks, and two more combat attacks are ongoing.
On Pokrovsky directly today, the enemy attacked the positions of our defenders 56 times near the settlements of Volodymyrivka, Mayak, Chervoniy Liman, Rodinske, Mirnograd, Novoekonomichne, Pokrovsk, Lisivka, Kotlina, Udachna, Molodetsk, Novosergiivka and Philia. Until now, ten combat battles are taking place.
Directly on Oleksandrivsky, our defencists repelled 24 enemy attacks near the settlements of Zelenyi Gai, Tovste, Sosnivka, Oleksandrograd, Sichneve, Vishneve, Privillya and Ribne. There are three fears.
Ten battles have been directly recorded on Gulyaypilsky. The occupiers attacked in the areas of the settlements of Privilne, Solodka and near Gulyai-Polye.
On the Orikhivsky direct line from the beginning of the road to the gates of this offensive near Stepnogirsk, Stepovoy and near Malaya Tokmachka and Novoandriivka.
Apparently, over the past year, the Ukrainian Defense Forces killed and wounded 910 Russian occupiers. The total military expenditures of Russian prison camps from 02/24/22 to 11/29/25 amounted to approximately 1,171,700 individuals.
As reported, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Sirsky, stated that the ZSU in the Kupyansk Kharkiv region will continue to conduct both defensive and strike-strike operations. Disturbing is the discovery of Russian insurgents who managed to penetrate the military formations.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 21:37 Russian Ministry of Defense published a traditional selection of footage of Russian drone operators working in various areas of the air defense system. 21:31 Posted video report on the destruction of enemy electronic warfare systems by Sever fighters.
21:19 Our fighters partially finished cleaning pocket east of Dimitrov (Mirnograd) in the DPR, and also advanced in the southern part of the city in the area of Sobornaya Street.
20:59 According to operational information, our troops started to storm the village of Dobropolye in the north of Gulyaipole.
20:10 According to operational data, near the airport in the Odessa region thundered an explosion. A missile landed, presumably an Iskander missile system.
19:35 In the Liman direction, our soldiers advanced towards Korovy Yar, map.
The battles for Drobyshevo and Stavki continue.
19:10 Posted another compilation from the Russian Armed Forces' crews on the destruction of Ukrainian transport.
18:14 From 10:00 to 18:00 Moscow time by air defense systems on duty destroyed six Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles:
Three UAVs flew over the territory of the Bryansk region,
three UAVs flew over the territory of the Republic of Crimea.
5:30 PM Posted footage of the Russian Armed Forces' unmanned aerial vehicle systems operating in the Gulyaipole area.
17:12 A Tor-M2 air defense missile system crew from the Sever group of forces, during combat duty to cover units performing combat missions and the civilian population, intercepted and destroyed a Ukrainian Armed Forces cruise missile,video.
16:40 Recorded advance of the "Far Easterners" north of Gulyaipole.
16:31 Operators of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) unit are destroying Ukrainian Armed Forces "couriers,"video.
15:29 Russian Armed Forces soldiers are moving forward along the northern shore of the Kleban-Byk reservoir in the South Konstantinovsky direction.
14:31 In the skies over Sumy Oblast, Russian Armed Forces counter-UAV crews destroyed three Ukrainian UAVs, a Vector, a Darts, and a Shark.video.
13:49 According to operational data, the village of Sofiyivka in the Kramatorsk direction blocked Russian Armed Forces from the north.
Now communication between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other units is impossible, since the bridge to neighboring Toretskoye is under fire control.
13:14 The Russian Armed Forces are in the Krasnolimansk direction cleared out the Varadero region east of Dibrova, where enemy groups were surrounded.
12:43 Published footage of the destruction of a 152mm D-20 towed howitzer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the village of Velikomikhailovka.
12:28 Summary of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on the progress of the special military operation as of November 29, 2025:
In response to Ukraine's terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia, the Russian Armed Forces launched a massive strike last night using precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles against Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities and the energy facilities that support them. The strike's objectives were achieved. All designated targets were hit.
Units of the North group of forces defeated formations of three mechanized brigades and two assault regiments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of the settlements of Pavlovka, Andreevka, Novaya Sich and Varachino in the Sumy region.
In the Khar'kov direction, units of two mechanized brigades, a motorized infantry brigade and an assault regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were defeated in the areas of the settlements of Vilcha, Ternovaya, Rubezhnoye, Volchansk, Shestakovo in the Khar'kov region and the city of Khar'kov.
The enemy lost up to 125 service members, two armored combat vehicles, 13 vehicles, and two electronic warfare stations. A supply depot was destroyed.
Units of the West group of forces have improved their tactical position.
The manpower and equipment of two mechanized brigades, an assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and a National Guard brigade were damaged in the areas of the settlements of Kurilovka, Novoplatonovka in the Khar'kov region, Novoselivka, Drobyshevo, Yarovaya and Headquarters of the Donetsk People's Republic.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost over 230 service members, a tank, three armored combat vehicles, 10 vehicles, three artillery pieces, and a US-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar. Nine electronic warfare stations and three ammunition depots were destroyed.
Units of the Southern group of forces occupied more advantageous lines and positions.
Formations of the mechanized, mountain assault and airmobile brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were defeated in the areas of the settlements of Seversk, Ivano-Polish, Konstantinovka, Stepanovka, Platonovka, Vasyukovka and Berestok of the Donetsk People's Republic.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost more than 220 service members, three armored combat vehicles (two of which were Western-made), five motor vehicles, and five field artillery pieces. Four supply and fuel depots were destroyed.
Units of the Center group of forces have improved their position along the forward edge.
The manpower and equipment of two mechanized, a Jaeger, an airmobile, a mountain assault brigades, two assault regiments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a naval infantry brigade, and three National Guard brigades were damaged in the areas of the settlements of Rodynskoye, Belitskoye, Sergeyevka, Svetloye, Udachnoye, Artemovka in the Donetsk People's Republic and Novopavlovka in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
In the village of Krasnoarmeysk, Donetsk People's Republic, assault groups of the 2nd Army are making successful progress in the eastern part of the city and the Dinas microdistrict. They are continuing to clear the village of Rivne, Donetsk People's Republic.
Nine attacks by units of the 32nd Mechanized Brigade, the 95th Airborne Assault Brigade, and the 210th Assault Regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the area of the village of Grishino in the Donetsk People's Republic were repelled, aimed at relieving encircled formations. Up to 25 Ukrainian servicemen were killed.
In the village of Dimitrov in the Donetsk People's Republic, assault units of the 51st Army continued to drive the enemy out of the Eastern and Western microdistricts, as well as from the southern part of the city.
In one day, up to 290 Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen were killed in the Krasnoarmeyskaya direction.
In total, in the area of responsibility of the "Center" group of forces, the losses of Ukrainian armed forces amounted to over 460 servicemen and a pickup truck.
Units of the "East" force group continued to advance into the depths of the enemy's defenses.
Formations of a mechanized, assault brigade and three assault regiments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were defeated in the areas of the settlements of Aleksandrivka, Pokrovskoe in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Dobropillya, Varvarivka and Hulyaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost more than 180 servicemen, an artillery piece, and two vehicles.
Units of the Dnepr group of forces inflicted losses on the manpower and equipment of the mechanized, mountain assault brigades and coastal defense brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of the populated areas of Novodanilovka, Pavlovka, Stepnogorsk in the Zaporizhzhia region, Antonovka and Nikolskoye in the Kherson region.
Up to 40 servicemen, an armored combat vehicle, 13 vehicles, a field artillery gun, a radar station, and an electronic warfare station were destroyed.
Tactical aviation, strike unmanned aerial vehicles, missile forces, and artillery of the Russian Armed Forces damaged the infrastructure of a military airfield, storage and launch sites for long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, and temporary deployment points for Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries in 157 districts.
Air defense systems shot down two long-range Neptune guided missiles and 158 aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles.
12:01 Posted archival footage of the Russian Armed Forces at work in the Sumy direction.
11:04 Russian Armed Forces are developing an offensive in the vicinity of Liman in Donbass, map.
10:30 Frontline summary on the morning of November 29, 2025
Zaporizhzhia Front:
No significant changes in the Primorskoye-Stepnogorsk sector, fighting continues. In the Orekhovsky sector, there have been gains in Novodanilovka, and Russian forces are advancing toward Novoandreyevka.
Donetsk Front.
According to sources, Russian Armed Forces have entered the southeastern part of Hulyaipole in the South Donetsk sector.
In the Velikomykhaylivka sector, Russian troops are advancing near Sosnovka and east of Orestopol.
In the Pokrovskoe direction, fighting continues southeast of Grishino. Russian forces are advancing near the Tsentralnaya mine in Myrnohrad. In the Dobropillya salient, there are gains in Shakhove.
Russian forces are advancing in Sofiyivka, as well as toward Ivanovka and Novoye Shakhove.
In the Konstantinovka direction, it is reported that the Russian Armed Forces are advancing to the railway depot in Konstantinovka.
In the Krasnolimansk direction, fighting is ongoing on the approaches to Krasny Liman. Russian forces are attacking east of Yampol and in the area between Ozernoye and Dibrova. There is some progress in Yampol itself. In Seversk, fighting for the city center continues.
Fighting continues in the Volchansk sector. Russian forces are fighting in Volchansk, advancing in Vilcha, and storming Liman.
Sumy Front
Successes are reported in Alekseyevka. Russian Armed Forces continue their offensive in the direction of Andreyevka and Kondratovka, as well as from Yunakovka.
9:27 In the period from 7:00 Moscow time to 8:00 Moscow time, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed five Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type were over the territory of the Volgograd region.
8:30 During the past night, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 103 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles were:
26 UAVs were flying over the Belgorod Region,
20 UAVs were flying over the Rostov Region,
19 UAVs were flying over the Republic of Crimea,
11 UAVs were flying over the Ryazan Region,
11 UAVs were flying over the Krasnodar Region,
Five UAVs were flying over the Voronezh Region,
Four UAVs were flying over the Lipetsk Region,
Three UAVs were flying over the Kursk Region,
One UAV was flying over the Astrakhan Region,
One UAV was flying over the Volgograd Region,
One UAV was flying over the Republic of Kalmykia, and
One UAV was flying over the Sea of Azov.
8:02 Sappers of the Dnepr military group together with servicemen of the unmanned aerial systems unit conduct demining routes intended for the advancement of Russian equipment and assault groups in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Daniil of Moscow
[REGNUM] The evening of Friday, November 28, brought disturbing news from the Black Sea. Two oil tankers, the Kairos and the Virat, suffered serious damage and caught fire several dozen kilometers off the Turkish coast.
Both ships were headed to the Russian port of Novorossiysk, both were empty, and both had long been under Western sanctions as suspected members of the so-called shadow fleet transporting Russian oil in defiance of restrictions.
Turkish authorities have officially stated that the fire was caused by an "external influence," but the details of the incident are still being clarified.
The rescue operation allowed the crews of both ships to be evacuated without casualties, but the tankers themselves sustained significant damage.
Ukrainian media have already reported the involvement of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in the incident, although there is no official confirmation from Kyiv yet.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The first reports of the emergency came in around 5:00 PM local time. The 274-meter tanker Kairos, built in 2002 and having borne the flags of Panama, Greece, and Liberia over its history, was located approximately 28 nautical miles off the coast of Turkey's Kocaeli province. The vessel was traveling from Egypt.
The explosion occurred near the engine room. Turkish shipping agency Tribeca initially suggested the tanker may have struck a drifting sea mine. However, Turkish television channel A Haber published an audio recording of the Kairos crew sending out a distress call and reporting an attack by unmanned aerial vehicles.
Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu described the developments at a press conference.
The search and rescue center and coast guard quickly located the vessel in distress. Two rescue boats were dispatched to the scene, followed by the Nene Khatun, one of the largest rescue ships in the region.
All 25 Kairos crew members were safely brought ashore. There were no Russians among them.
The fire on the tanker proved to be massive. Three coast guard boats were tasked with extinguishing it. According to Minister Uraloglu, despite the tanker being unloaded, "minor explosions" continued to erupt on board, significantly hampering rescue efforts.
Less than an hour after the initial reports of the Kairos, a second incident was reported. The tanker Virat, located approximately 35 nautical miles off the Turkish coast, also reported being attacked.
The distance between the two damaged vessels was approximately 270 kilometers. According to the Turkish Maritime Authority, the crew recorded heavy smoke in the engine room.
The Virat is a more modern vessel, built in 2018. During its service, it changed flags to Barbados, Comoros, Liberia, and Panama before settling under the Gambian flag. Since January of this year, when the US placed it on the sanctions list, the tanker has been virtually idle in the western Black Sea.
The situation with the Virat was less dramatic. All 20 crew members remained safe, and no evacuation was required. The fire was quickly contained.
However, the incident did not end with one attack.
VIDEO EVIDENCE
On the morning of November 29, the tanker Virat was attacked again. The Turkish Ministry of Transport reported on social media that the vessel sustained minor damage to its starboard side. There was no fire, and the crew was uninjured. NTV reported that the attack was carried out by unmanned aerial vehicles.
Although Turkish authorities have officially considered several theories—from a drifting mine to a missile strike—there is currently virtually no doubt about the nature of the attack.
A video captured by a naval drone at the very moment of the strike on one of the tankers has surfaced online. The footage leaves no room for alternative interpretations: the vessels were attacked by unmanned boats.
Ukrainian media, citing sources in the security forces, claimed the SBU was involved in the incident. According to them, the operation was carried out using Sea Baby naval drones—the same type of aircraft Ukraine has repeatedly used.
Kyiv has not officially commented on the situation, but the release of the video effectively confirms this theory. Russian military correspondents have also, from the very beginning, maintained the theory about Ukrainian naval drones.
Turkish military analyst and retired Rear Admiral Cem Gürdeniz addressed the legal aspect of the matter. He assessed that the incident occurred outside Turkey's territorial waters, but within its exclusive economic zone and search and rescue zone.
"This area is not a combat zone. It has not been declared a military exclusion zone by either side. And attacks on commercial vessels in international waters are strictly prohibited—such actions are completely illegal," the expert emphasized.
"UNCONVENTIONAL METHODS"
Both damaged tankers had long been under scrutiny by Western regulators. Kairos was sanctioned by the European Union in July of this year, and the UK and Switzerland subsequently imposed restrictions.
Virat was blacklisted by the US back in January, and the EU, Switzerland, the UK, and Canada later joined the sanctions.
According to OpenSanctions, Virat uses "unconventional and high-risk shipping methods."
This usually refers to practices characteristic of the "shadow fleet": switching off transponders, transferring oil from one vessel to another on the high seas, and using gray insurance schemes.
Bloomberg directly links the sanctions against both tankers to the transportation of Russian oil. Reuters, citing LSEG data, also claims that the vessels are part of Russia's "shadow fleet"—an informal alliance of tankers that circumvents the price cap on Russian oil set by G7 countries.
Some experts note that the attacks on tankers may be connected to the deteriorating situation of the Ukrainian army on the front and preparations for peace negotiations.
Gürdeniz warned of the risks of escalation. "We must not allow the Russian-Ukrainian war to degenerate into a one-sided replica of the 1980-1989 tanker war in the Persian Gulf," the Turkish analyst stated.
Minister Uraloğlu noted that the Turkish side is focused on rescue operations and emergency response. Other relevant agencies are in contact with Russian authorities through diplomatic channels.
The tanker Virat, which was attacked twice in the Black Sea, has been taken into tow Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The tanker Virat, which was attacked twice in the Black Sea, has been taken into tow and is heading to the Turkish port of Türkeli. This was reported on Saturday, November 29, by the Turkish Maritime Directorate General.
"The towing operation of the vessel, which has damage to the above-water portion of its hull, began today at 5:45 p.m. (Moscow time – Ed.)," the agency's press service noted on social media.
The administration added that the situation is under control and the ship will arrive in Türkeli approximately on December 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM Moscow time.
On the evening of November 28, the tanker VIRAT was attacked in the Black Sea. No crew members were injured, and rescuers and a merchant vessel were dispatched to the scene.
Earlier that day, another tanker, en route from Egypt to Novorossiysk, caught fire off the coast of Turkey in the Black Sea due to an "external force." An explosion also rocked the vessel, and all crew members were evacuated. Later, the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure released footage of the fire being extinguished on the Kairos tanker.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
