Kremlin says Putin briefed on Black Sea tanker attack; all 23 crew rescued
In short
Russian President Vladimir Putin received reports on the attack on the tanker Aframaks Rio (Афрамакс Рио), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Russian reports said all 23 crew members, who are Indian citizens, were rescued and open flames on the vessel were extinguished.
Read the full story 1 min read
Russian President Vladimir Putin received all reports on the attack on the tanker Aframaks Rio (Афрамакс Рио) off the Black Sea coast, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on October 8. Speaking to Interfax, Peskov said the response to the incident's consequences was going well. RBC and Kommersant also reported that Putin had been briefed. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The vessel was attacked by uncrewed boats on the evening of October 6 and caught fire, according to Interfax and Kommersant. Interfax said it was carrying oil and sailing under the Liberian flag. The Transport Ministry said the attack resulted in oil burning in the sea. Kommersant placed the attack off Sochi and reported that local authorities set up an operational headquarters to deal with the consequences. [ 2 , 3 ]
All 23 crew members were rescued, and all are Indian citizens, according to Kommersant and RIA Novosti. Kommersant reported no injuries. Interfax and RIA Novosti said open flames on the tanker had been extinguished. Interfax also cited the environmental regulator Rosprirodnadzor as saying it had detected no pollution of the Black Sea waters or coastline after the fire. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Peskov later told journalists that specific instructions from Putin had not been needed because the Transport Ministry responded promptly, RIA Novosti reported. He said Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin had convened the operational headquarters several times and the necessary personnel and equipment had been brought in. According to Peskov, one of the vessel's tanks was damaged and the oil inside burned completely, causing almost no environmental harm. He said the necessary measures were taken promptly and effectively, and that the tanker was being towed onward. [ 5 ]
Why it matters
Russia's Transport Ministry said the attack caused oil to burn in the Black Sea. The environmental regulator reported no detected pollution of the water or coastline, while Peskov said the oil burned with almost no environmental damage.
Key facts
- Peskov said Putin had received all reports on the tanker incident. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The tanker caught fire after an attack by uncrewed boats on the evening of October 6. [ 2 , 3 ]
- All 23 crew members were rescued; they are Indian citizens. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Open flames on the tanker were extinguished, according to Russian reports. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Peskov said one tank was damaged and the oil inside burned completely. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Responsibility for the attack is not identified. None of the supplied reports names who carried out the attack.