The Qendil is an Oman-flagged oil tanker identified as part of so-called “shadow fleet” — a group of vessels used to transport Russian oil and fuel cargoes while attempting to evade international sanctions. On December 19, 2025, the drone strike happened against the Qendil in neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea, more than 2,000 kilometres from Ukraine’s borders, marking what Ukrainian officials described as the first such long-range maritime strike in that region.
According to Ukrainian sources, the tanker was empty at the time of the attack, posing no immediate environmental risk, and sustained critical damage that rendered it inoperable. Kyiv’s security service stated the strike targeted the ship because it was allegedly being used to help circumvent sanctions and generate revenue linked to Russia’s war efforts, and asserted that under the laws of war it was a legitimate military target.
This strike reflects an expanded operational reach of Ukrainian drone and intelligence capabilities far beyond the immediate Black Sea area and has drawn international attention amid ongoing tensions tied to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
