Ukraine drone attack sets tanker ablaze off Sochi

Ukraine struck an oil tanker off Russia's southern coast on Tuesday evening, triggering a large fire and a black smoke cloud that spread over parts of Sochi.

Russia's transport ministry said a Liberian-flagged tanker had been attacked by “naval drones” and that “crude oil is burning openly in the waters of the Black Sea.” It said firefighters could not tackle the blaze because of its intensity, but all 23 crew members, all Indian citizens, had been rescued.

Videos and photos circulated on social media from Sochi showed bright orange flames at sea and a thick column of black smoke. The city's mayor said access to the coast and beaches was being restricted.

Both sides have targeted commercial shipping around the Black Sea during the war. Russia has in recent days hit grain vessels carrying Ukrainian goods near the coast of Romania, an EU member.

Ukraine says its attacks on Russian oil infrastructure are retaliation for Moscow's attacks on Ukrainian towns and cities. Both sides have said in recent weeks that they would escalate strikes.