Russian Chemical Tanker SIG Damaged in Kerch Strait USV Attack
A Russian chemical tanker, SIG, has reportedly been damaged in the Kerch Strait due to an attack by an unmanned surface vessel (USV) on the evening of August 4th. Emergency workers from Novorossiysk, Russia, have been dispatched to assist the tanker.
According to The Moscow Times, the SIG tanker, which was sailing from Turkey, is believed to have suffered damage as a result of a USV attack in the Kerch Strait. The newspaper also shared an audio recording from a Russian Telegram channel called Ostorozhno, Novosti (Warning, News), allegedly capturing communications between the tanker’s sailors following the attack. In the recording, the crew states that the ship is afloat but unable to move under its own power.
The SIG tanker is known for delivering aircraft fuel from Crimea to Syria, a venture that led to its inclusion on the United States sanctions list in 2019.
The Taman Sea Rescue Subcentre of Russia, cited by Kremlin-aligned media outlet TASS, reported that a group of emergency rescue workers from Novorossiysk has been sent to the Kerch Strait, where the USV attack occurred, according to information from various Telegram channels.
TASS further stated that the Novorossiysk Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre confirmed the dispatch of the emergency workers to the strait. The maritime rescue centre, also cited by TASS, later claimed that the Russian tanker was damaged during an attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces but added that the crew members are safe.
Initial reports indicate that the tanker was approximately 30 miles off the coast when the drone struck the engine room and pump room.
Eleven people were on board the tanker, and most of them sustained minor injuries from broken glass, stated the Telegram channel.
As investigations into the incident continue, it is crucial to gather all available information to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the attack on the Russian chemical tanker SIG in the Kerch Strait. The damage sustained and the involvement of an unmanned surface vessel raise concerns about the evolving landscape of maritime security. Both Russia and Ukraine, as key players in the region, must take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of vessels passing through the Kerch Strait to prevent further incidents of this nature.
The impacted tanker and its crew’s well-being should be the focus of efforts until the situation is resolved. The international community and relevant authorities should closely monitor the developments and work towards de-escalation and maintaining stability in the region.
