A Liberian-flagged oil tanker was set ablaze after a naval drone attack off Russia’s Black Sea port of Sochi on Monday, with all 23 Indian crew members rescued unharmed. The tanker, named Aframax Rio, was struck while sailing toward Novorossiysk to load crude oil for India.

Russia’s Transport Ministry said the vessel’s 23-member Indian crew were rescued and evacuated, with no injuries reported. The attack caused an open fire as crude oil burned on the vessel, sending a column of black smoke visible from the coast. Beaches in the resort town of Sirius were temporarily closed.

Ukraine’s security service said the operation was carried out with the country’s naval forces. It described the tanker as part of Russia’s shadow fleet carrying sanctioned cargo. Kyiv has intensified strikes on Russian energy and maritime infrastructure in recent weeks.

The incident marks a significant escalation in attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Maritime officials warned the blaze could pose environmental risks to the coastline. Both Russia and Ukraine have been targeting each other’s energy infrastructure as the war continues.