Published: January 13, 2026 1:53 pm
Author: RT
Suspected Ukrainian drones have attacked Russian tankers on several occasions in recent weeks
An elite Russian drone unit has released a video of an attack on a Ukraine-bound vessel off the Black Sea coast. The move came as retaliation for Kiev’s drone strikes on Russian-linked commercial shipping in the region and beyond.
On Monday, the Rubicon drone unit, which operates under the purview of Russia’s Defense Ministry, published a video showing a UAV swiftly approaching and striking a ship near the Ukrainian Port of Odessa. Rubicon, however, did not disclose identifying details about the targeted vessel.
”This is a game two can play,” it wrote.
Ukrainian officials have confirmed the raid, with Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Kuleba saying on Monday that Russian UAVs hit two tankers en route either to or from the port. He claimed that they were transporting vegetable oil and corn.
READ MORE: Drone hits Kazakh tanker en route to Russian port
The Russian drone strike followed a string of attacks on Russia-trading tankers, with a number of commercial vessels reportedly hit by suspected Ukrainian drones in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean since November. Two of them were struck off the coast of Türkiye, prompting Ankara to warn about risks to maritime safety.
President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukrainian attacks on Russian commercial shipping “will not lead to the desired result” or thwart Russian trade. He added that these raids will only create additional risks, and that responses from Russia “will definitely follow.”
