An apparent Russian drone strike in Ukraine led to the crash of a Turkish tanker in the Odessa region on Monday. The incident ignited a fire on the ship and resulted in evacuations along the Danube River in Romania.
This attack occurred just a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a deal to begin importing U.S. liquefied natural gas through the Odessa region. During his visit to Greece, he confirmed the pipeline project that will transport U.S.-produced LNG from Alexandroupolis in northern Greece starting in January.
The Turkish Maritime Directorate reported that the MT Olinda, which was loaded with liquefied petroleum gas, was hit while it was unloading at Izmail port. All 16 crew members were safely evacuated.
Footage from Romania showed the ship on fire, with thick smoke billowing into the sky as residents were instructed to evacuate their homes. Izmail, located at the mouth of the Black Sea, is crucial for Ukraine’s trading operations.
This drone attack fits within a broader context of renewed Russian assaults targeting energy and port infrastructures in the Odessa area. Ole Kipel, the regional military chief, noted that the drones caused numerous fires and damaged several civilian vessels.
In response to the explosion, Romanian authorities evacuated residents in the villages of Praul and Çatalkioi, situated across the river from Izmail. Meanwhile, Romania’s Ministry of Defense indicated that its radar systems tracked several aerial targets throughout the night, but no incursions into Romanian airspace were reported.
This latest assault is part of an increasing pattern of aggressive actions by Russia, raising alarms for NATO, which has expanded air defense operations under its Eastern Sentry initiative. The ongoing attacks also pose security concerns for countries along the border.
Zelensky’s deal to secure U.S. gas is crucial for addressing Ukraine’s energy needs as Russia continues to target power infrastructure throughout the country.
