Russian Transport Minister Discusses Implications of Attack on Oil Tanker in Black Sea

Moscow, Oct 6 (KUNA) -- The Russian Ministry of Transport announced on Tuesday that its minister, Andrei Nikitin, held a meeting at the operations center designated to address the aftermath of the attack on the oil tanker Aframax Rio, which flies the Liberian flag, off the coast of the Black Sea. The ministry confirmed that the tanker’s crew had been rescued and that, according to initial information, no injuries had occurred.

The Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted the ministry as saying the tanker was attacked by unmanned boats off the Black Sea coast, noting that the incident led to oil igniting in the waters of the Black Sea. The ministry added that the forces and resources currently available are sufficient to manage the consequences of the situation involving the tanker, while necessary measures continue to be taken to address the incident’s effects.

Russian sources said the tanker’s crew of 23 people, all Indian nationals, were rescued, while operations to deal with the aftermath of the incident are ongoing. This incident occurs amid ongoing security tensions in the Black Sea in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war and the increasing risks to maritime navigation in the region due to the use of drones and unmanned boats. (End) D.A.N. / R.J.