Liberia-flagged oil tanker with Indian crew attacked by drone boats off Russia's Black Sea coast

On Tuesday, a Liberia-flagged oil tanker, Aframax Rio, carrying oil and 23 Indian crew members, was attacked by drone boats off Russia's Black Sea coast near Sochi. The crew was saved and evacuated, with no injuries reported. The attack caused a severe fire, leading to open burning of oil, and Sochi temporarily banned beach access. This incident is part of escalating attacks on shipping in the Black Sea amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. India expressed grave concern, calling for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflicts.