SSU maritime drones attack russian "shadow fleet" tankers "Louise 1" and "Banda" in Black Sea

The Security Service of Ukraine, in coordination with the Naval Forces, attacked the tankers "Louise 1" and "Banda"—which are part of russia's "shadow fleet"—in the Black Sea. The SSU’s “Mamai” maritime drones targeted the vessels, which are subject to Ukrainian sanctions.

The SSU reported this to the Ukrainian News agency.

According to the agency, the tanker “Louise 1” was involved in transporting russian crude oil during the G7 and EU oil embargo. The vessel transported cargo from russian ports on the Baltic and Black Seas while disabling its automatic identification system. In 2026 alone, it transported nearly 3 million metric tons of russian Urals crude oil. The tanker “Banda” also transported russian crude oil from the ports of Ust-Luga, Kerch, Novorossiysk, and Nakhodka.

During the attack by maritime drones, enemy aircraft attempted to engage them—firing machine guns and dropping bombs—but to no avail.

The SSU reiterated that striking the vessels of the “shadow fleet” systematically deprives the kremlin of funds for the war. It is these tankers, in defiance of international sanctions, that transport russian oil and fill the aggressor state’s budget with billions of dollars. Therefore, according to the SSU, every strike against the “shadow fleet” is a direct blow to russia’s ability to continue its aggression, and every such vessel, as part of russia’s war machine, is a legitimate target.

As a reminder, last week the SSU’s Sea Baby maritime drone targeted the sanctioned tanker “Blue” in Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the SSU has attacked four russian car ferries, patrol boats, and fuel facilities. The strikes by the SSU’s “Sea Baby” maritime drones against the aggressor country’s shadow fleet give Ukraine new leverage in international negotiations. The Security Service of Ukraine has demonstrated a new generation of “Sea Baby” maritime drones. They have undergone testing and have been deployed in operations in the Black Sea.