Russian shadow fleet tanker explodes in the Mediterranean sea
The Russian tanker "Vilamoura", linked to illegal oil deliveries, exploded off the coast of Libya. The vessel was carrying one million barrels of crude oil.
Photo: pixabay.com
On June 27, an explosion occurred aboard the Russian tanker "Vilamoura" in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The vessel is part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the fire broke out in the engine room as the ship was departing from the Libyan port of Es-Zuwaytina. The explosion occurred about 150 kilometers off the coast of Libya.
The tanker was sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands and was transporting around one million barrels of oil.
Previously, the "Vilamoura" had been spotted multiple times in the ports of Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk. The damaged ship is currently being towed toward the Greek coast — to the Bay of Laconia. The operation is being carried out by the Maltese firefighting tug "Boka Summit".
The vessel is owned by the Greek company TMS Tanker Ltd, registered in the city of Marousi.
It was earlier reported that during the night of July 1 an explosion occurred at the strategically important "Kupol" plant in Izhevsk (Russia), which manufactures equipment for Russia's air defense systems — according to reports, the strike was carried out by a Ukrainian drone.