Ukrainian SSU Sea Baby maritime drones struck two sanctioned Russian oil tankers, Kairo and Virat, in the Black Sea. Both tankers suffered critical damage and have effectively been put out of service, dealing a significant blow to the transport of Russian oil. The sanctioned vessels sailed empty during the attack as they were heading to be loaded at Novorossiysk port. Earlier, two sanctioned Russian tankers caught fire in the Black Sea off the coast of Turkiye as a result of external strikes.

Environmental damage or casualty figures of these four attacks remain unclear.

"SSU continues active efforts to cut Russia's financial capacity to wage war against Ukraine. Sea Baby maritime drones have disabled vessels that could carry nearly $70 million worth of oil and that have helped the Kremlin circumvent international sanctions."

Nota Bene: Ukraine has blocked Russia's bid for membership of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN agency responsible for maritime safety.

An international arrest warrant issued by the ICC for war crimes remains active for the diabolical Vladimir Putin. An indictment is merely an allegation. Mr Putin is presumed innocent until proven guilty at an international tribunal to be held for him at the Hague at a future date.