Damaged Russian “Shadow Fleet” Oil Tanker Arrives in Turkey After Incident at Taman Port

A damaged oil tanker from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” URSUS MARITIMUS, has arrived in Istanbul, Turkey.

According to TankerTrackers, which shared photos of the vessel on X, the tanker sustained significant damage. The images show a hole below the waterline caused by an FP-1/2 drone strike, as well as visible fire damage on the deck and superstructure.

Data from blinzka indicates that this tanker was attacked by Ukraine’s Defense Forces at the port of Taman on the night of December 22, 2025.

According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, URSUS MARITIMUS was involved in exporting Russian oil and petroleum products from ports in the Baltic and Black Seas during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo.

In particular, the tanker carried out voyages with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched off, including operations in the area of the Russian port of Ust-Luga.

The tanker was built in 2005 and currently sails under the flag of Liberia.