# Security incidents targeting Russian-linked oil tankers

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/security-incidents-targeting-russian-linked-oil-tankers
> Updated: 2026-08-02T10:39:17.000Z. Sources: 99. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, two Greek‑owned tankers carrying Kazakh crude were hit by unmanned aerial drones near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal at Novorossiysk in the Black Sea. The strikes caused brief fires, resulted in no injuries or oil spills, and led to a temporary suspension of loading for safety checks.

On 2 August 2026, the Italian Navy flagship Thaon di Revel, operating under the EU’s EUNAVFOR MED Irini mission, intercepted the Cameroon‑flagged tanker Toa Payoh in international waters west of Pantelleria. The vessel, which had left Cotonou on 16 July 2026 bound for Istanbul, is linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” and subject to EU sanctions. After the captain initially refused cooperation, Italian forces boarded the ship via helicopter, with support from a Greek warship and a Polish maritime‑patrol aircraft. The two‑hour operation complied with UNCLOS article 110, concluded safely, and resulted in the seizure of documentation now under review by Italian authorities.

These incidents—drone attacks in the Black Sea and the EU naval interdiction in the Mediterranean—illustrate a heightened risk environment for ships involved in Russian oil logistics and the EU’s expanding effort to enforce sanctions on vessels suspected of evading restrictions on Russian oil exports.

## Claims

- The Italian warship Thaon di Revel boarded the Russian tanker Toa Payoh on 2 August 2026 near Pantelleria. (corroborated by 41 sources)
- The tanker Toa Payoh is under EU sanctions and belongs to Russia’s “shadow fleet”. (corroborated by 41 sources)
- The vessel Toa Payoh was sailing under the flag of Cameroon. (corroborated by 41 sources)
- The tanker Toa Payoh departed Cotonou, Benin on 16 July 2026 heading for Istanbul. (corroborated by 41 sources)
- The operation was supported by a Greek vessel and a Polish maritime patrol aircraft. (corroborated by 41 sources)
- Italian authorities are examining the documentation obtained during the inspection. (corroborated by 41 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-02: Italian Navy boards Russian shadow‑fleet tanker Toa Payoh near Pantelleria

Italian warship Thaon di Revel boarded the sanctioned Russian tanker Toa Payoh near Pantelleria on 2 Aug 2026; the Cameroonian‑flagged vessel, heading from Benin to Istanbul, was inspected for two hours with EU

85 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-navy-ship-thaon-di-revel-boards-russianlinked-oil-tanker-near-pantelleria

### 2026-07-30: Greek tankers Nissos Sifnos, Marathi hit near Novorossiysk

On 30 July 2026 drones hit Greek‑owned tankers Nissos Sifnos and Marathi near Novorossiysk; crews extinguished fires, no injuries or oil spill, loading stopped and CPC labelled the strikes terrorist.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-tankers-nissos-sifnos-and-marathi-hit-by-drones-near-novorossiysk-black-sea

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Cite as: Security incidents targeting Russian-linked oil tankers. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/security-incidents-targeting-russian-linked-oil-tankers