Cyprus-linked tanker attacked by unmanned vessels near Sochi

On October 6, 2026, the Liberian-flagged Aframax tanker Rio was struck by unmanned surface vessels off the coast of Sochi, Russia. The incident caused a significant fire, prompting emergency responders to mobilize alongside the Russian Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the Ministry of Defense. All 23 crew members, who are Indian nationals, were successfully rescued and showed no injuries, declining hospitalization after being brought ashore on October 7.

The vessel, managed by the Cyprus-based Hellenic Tankers Co Ltd, which is chaired by Andreas Hadjiyiannis, sustained damage while drifting along the coast of the Lazarevsky district. Authorities in the Sirius federal territory temporarily restricted beach access and issued safety warnings for local residents. By October 7, the Russian Ministry of Transport confirmed that the fire had been extinguished and that no oil pollution had been detected in the Black Sea. Air quality tests conducted in the area also showed no abnormalities, and the vessel remains under observation as cleanup and damage assessment efforts proceed.