Ukrainian drone strike engulfs oil tanker near Sochi.

23 Indian crew members rescued as black sea shipping comes under fire.

A Ukrainian drone attack has ignited a Liberian-flagged oil tanker off Russia’s Black Sea coast, intensifying the maritime dimension of the ongoing conflict. The vessel, carrying an all-Indian crew, was struck near the resort city of Sochi, sparking a massive blaze that lit up the night sky.

According to Russia’s transport ministry, all 23 crew members were safely evacuated, though one sailor sustained injuries. Firefighters have struggled to contain the flames as crude oil continues to burn on the water’s surface. Authorities said they will resume attempts to extinguish the fire once conditions become less hazardous.

The incident unfolded close to Sochi, a city of nearly half a million residents, prompting local officials to restrict access to beaches and coastal areas. Dramatic footage shared online showed towering black smoke and bright orange flames visible from the shore, underscoring the disaster’s scale.

This attack comes just a day after another vessel caught fire and sank off Romania’s coast, leaving one dead and another missing. Ukraine attributed that strike to Russian forces, while Moscow has accused Kyiv of escalating attacks on its oil infrastructure.

Since the war began in 2022, both Russia and Ukraine have increasingly targeted commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Russia has recently struck grain carriers near Romania. At the same time, Ukraine has focused on oil facilities in southern Russia, arguing that such strikes are retaliation for Moscow’s nightly bombardments of Ukrainian cities. Previous Ukrainian attacks have caused oil slicks, toxic rainfall, and forced beach closures in affected regions.

The latest strike highlights the growing risks for civilian shipping in the Black Sea, a vital corridor for energy and trade. With both sides pledging to intensify operations, the maritime front is becoming a dangerous extension of the battlefield.

Russia has also shifted tactics in recent weeks, launching daytime drone raids on Kyiv and striking key bridges, plunging the capital into gridlock. Ukraine, meanwhile, continues to emphasize that its operations against Russian oil assets are aimed at curbing Moscow’s ability to sustain its war effort.

As the conflict escalates, the Black Sea is increasingly transformed into a volatile war zone, where commercial vessels and energy infrastructure are caught in the crossfire of a widening confrontation.