Drone-hit Russian “shadow fleet” tanker sinking in port – media

This was reported by the ASTRA Telegram channel, according to Ukrinform.

The outlet has obtained photos showing the aftermath of a drone attack on an oil tanker in the port of Rostov-on-Don.

According to ASTRA’s OSINT analysis, the attacked vessel is located next to the oil products transshipment terminal of the Novoshakhtinsk refinery.

Eyewitnesses say that after the attack the tanker began to sink. The stern of the vessel was flooded almost up to the superstructure.

The strike site has been cordoned off, and the tanker itself has been surrounded by containment booms.

ASTRA’s sources confirmed that the tanker hit in the attack was the Valeriy Gorchakov.

As a result of the strike, the ship’s wheelhouse and hull were damaged, while breaches appeared in the engine room and steering gear compartment, causing a fire.

It is noted that three days earlier, on December 15, Ukrainian drones attacked this area. At that time, a fire broke out about 850 meters from the tanker that was damaged during the latest attack.

The Valeriy Gorchakov was built in 1969. In 2004, it was converted into an oil tanker for transporting petroleum products of all classes.

The tanker is under sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland.

As reported by Ukrinform, a group of drones carried out attacks in several Russian cities on the night of Thursday, December 18; in particular, a tanker was reported to be on fire in Rostov-on-Don.