Dramatic moment Putin shamed by Ukraine's huge attack while Trump's peace deal on table
The shadow fleet is used by Russian forces to circumvent the strict sanctions placed on its oil exports by the West.
Vladimir Putin has been left humiliated after Ukraine launched a strike on two of Russia's shadow fleet ships, with one erupting into a huge fireball - while Donald Trump's 28-point peace plan is still on the table. An official from the SBU, Ukraine's security service, told Reuters that the operation was conducted alongside the navy.
Turkey also reported earlier today that the shadow fleet ship "Virat" had been hit by unmanned vessels. The "Kairos" also caught fire following an explosion in the Black Sea, the country's transport ministry said. Both ships hit in the attack "sustained critical damage" and had to be taken out of service, the official said.
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Ukrainian forces released videos of the operation against the two oilers Kairo and Virat in the Black Sea which tried to reach the Russian coast.
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) November 29, 2025
The message is clear:
If you are a shipowner trying to get Russian oil, expect that you will lose your whole ship. pic.twitter.com/Zg91DqbKmZ
The shadow fleet is used by Russian forces to circumvent the strict sanctions placed on its oil exports by the West.
Vladimir Putin is able to continue fuelling the war in Ukraine through these uninsured, unmarked tankers, making them the subject of attacks.
Last month, the French military boarded an oil tanker which some suspect could have been used as a launchpad for drone flights over Denmark that caused travel chaos for scores of passengers.
Emmanuel Macron said the ship, anchored off the coast of Saint-Nazaire in western France, had committed "very serious wrongdoings".
The French president linked the vessel, known as "Pushpa" or "Boracay", to Russia’s shadow fleet.
Moscow, however, denied any involvement in the drone sightings and said it had no information about the ship.
