The tanker “James II” flying the flag of Palau was sailing without cargo and was attacked about 80 km north of the Turkel district. Two other tankers – “Altura” and “Velora” flying the flag of Sierra Leone – were attacked while transferring cargo from one ship to another.
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Turkey sent coast guard boats to the scene. According to “Tribecos,” no crew members were injured.
Ukraine and Russia did not comment on the attack. The Turkish Ministry of Transport also did not provide comments.
The ships were transporting “Rosneft” oil
All three ships previously transported Russian oil and were affected by sanctions. The ships “Altura” and “Velora” transported “Rosneft” oil and have been subject to EU sanctions since October 24, 2025. Later, sanctions were also applied to the ships by Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
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Since November 19, 2025, they have been operated by the Turkish company “Pergamon Denizcilik Isletmeleri.” The ships “Altura” and “Velora” are linked to a network of companies connected to Hector Varela de Leon and Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader’s advisor.
The tanker “James II” has been used since June 2024 for the export of oil and oil products from Russian ports. On May 20, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on it.
