Drones Attack Sanctioned Russian Vessel Lady Maria in Mediterranean Sea

Drones attacked the sanctioned vessel Lady Maria in the Mediterranean Sea, which is reportedly used to transport Russian weapons.

The NEVZOROV Telegram channel published footage of the attack.

The vessel was targeted by drones equipped with a system for dropping munitions. The strikes caused a small fire to break out on board.

According to data from the MarineTraffic vessel-tracking service, the ship departed the Algerian port of Oran and was headed for an undisclosed destination.

The latest route updates indicate that the vessel was sailing through the Mediterranean Sea, passing near the island of Crete on its way toward Syria.

The vessel Lady Maria (IMO 9220641) is currently under U.S. OFAC sanctions under the name STELLA-MARIA. The vessel has been linked to the Russian company MG-FLOT LLC (formerly TransMorFlot LLC) under the sanctions regime established by Executive Order 14024.

In addition to the United States, Ukraine also imposed sanctions on the vessel on May 23, 2026. The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) stated that Lady Maria is involved in transporting military cargo and weapons for Russia.

According to intelligence reports, the vessel has been used on the Novorossiysk–Tartus route. It has also been linked to the transportation of weapons from Syria to Russia.

Other vessels operated by MG-FLOT LLC are also subject to sanctions. The company’s vessels have likewise been used to transport ammunition from North Korea.

There is currently no confirmed information on whether the drones were Ukrainian. However, the activity of Ukrainian intelligence and security services in these waters is not new.

In May 2026, Greek fishermen found a Ukrainian Magura naval drone near the southern part of Lefkada, an island in the Ionian Sea in western Greece.

In December 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine struck a tanker belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet in the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea for the first time.

Moreover, given that the vessel has been used to transport weapons to Syria, an Israeli strike cannot be ruled out. Israel has previously carried out attacks on Iranian ports, including Bandar-e Anzali on the Caspian Sea.