Read Authentic Ratings for the Katiuska

In a significant development for maritime operations in the Black Sea, Bulgaria's Maritime Administration has issued a salvage bill to representatives of the tanker 'Kairos', identified as part of a Chinese-owned shadow fleet. The vessel ran aground off the coast of Antipol on December 5, 2025, after being reportedly struck by Ukrainian Sea Baby drones while en route to Russia for crude oil loading on November 28, 2025. On January 7, 2026, the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced the delivery of a €270,371 bill via a private bailiff, formally requiring payment by January 12. The expenses incurred by the Maritime Administration covered essential services, including the deployment of three tugs and a specialized generator utilized to restore power to the tanker’s hydraulic system for anchor management. The ministry later confirmed that it received the payment from the shipowner's agent in Bulgaria, which will be reimbursed to the state treasury. Meanwhile, Bulgaria continues to seek clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident and the tanker’s intended route prior to its drift towards Antipol. Further discussions have indicated Bulgaria's intention to claim full reimbursement for costs, particularly for the tow on December 15, which transferred the hulk to a safer location in the Gulf of Burgas. However, due to EU sanctions imposed on the tanker, Bulgaria is limited in its capabilities to provide repair services. While emergency services and the designation of a port of refuge are permitted under the sanctions, no supplemental assistance can be extended. The Ministry anticipates that the shipowner will take the necessary steps to prepare for the removal of the 'Kairos' from Bulgarian territorial waters.

On December 15, 2023, Bulgaria’s Maritime Administration confirmed that the 'Kairos,' a tanker previously stranded along the coastline, has been successfully towed to a secure anchorage in Burgas Bay. The tanker will remain there until the Chinese owner settles the incurred salvage costs. The salvage operation, conducted by the government-hired BMF Tug Service over the weekend of December 13-14, involved critical preparations due to the vessel's lack of onboard power. Reports indicated that the tanker’s port side bow anchor became jammed during deployment attempts by the crew. To address this challenge, a 150 kW emergency marine generator was brought on board a nearby workboat, assisting the salvage crews in restoring power to the hydraulic systems. Coordinated operations on December 14 focused on successfully raising the starboard anchor while also freeing the port side anchor for potential use. Additionally, the crew made arrangements for the tow lines needed for the towing operation. Throughout the period of the operation, three crew members remained aboard the 'Kairos,' while additional personnel were reintegrated into the team on December 15. Early that morning, the salvage team secured lines from three tugboats, successfully lifting the starboard anchor, and commenced towing the vessel nearly 30 nautical miles at a controlled speed of 2 to 3 knots for enhanced safety. By late afternoon, the 'Kairos' was anchored in a designated area of Burgas Bay, ensuring it was safely distanced from maritime traffic. Following the successful operation, the Maritime Administration is set to finalize the salvage expenses and present the bill to the Chinese owners within a few days. Until the outstanding payment is made, the Bulgarian authorities are unable to facilitate any repairs and can only aid in the removal process for the sanctioned vessel.

A critical operation is set to commence on December 12, aiming to tow the tanker 'Kairos' to the entrance of Burgas Bay after addressing its technical issues. The vessel, stranded due to sanctions imposed under a European Commission regulation, cannot undergo necessary repairs within Bulgaria. Consequently, authorities can only provide guidance to navigate the ship safely out of Bulgarian waters. Currently, the 'Kairos' is incapacitated, lacking the ability to produce electrical power or operate its onboard systems—its engines have failed, and water has entered the engine room. Coordinated efforts from the Defence Ministry, Transport and Communications Ministry, and the Maritime Administration Executive Agency are underway for the rescue mission. Navy Panther helicopters have successfully delivered essential supplies such as food, water, communications gear, and a generator to the ship while also evacuating most crew members in stages. Notably, a few seafarers remain on board at the request of the shipowner. Environmental and maritime agencies report that the empty tanker, located about 700-800 meters from the shoreline, is stable and poses no risk of oil pollution.

The tanker 'Kairos' has been stranded for five days off Ahtopol's coast, causing mounting concerns for the crew aboard. As of December 9, six crew members were successfully evacuated during a recent airlift operation. This evacuation took place on December 8 at approximately 9 a.m., facilitated by a Navy Panther helicopter, with the rescued individuals being temporarily housed in Varna. Currently, three crew members remain on the vessel, navigating dire conditions, as heating has been lost and their sleeping areas are limited to makeshift bedding made from discarded clothes and blankets after their living quarters were damaged in a prior drone attack. The multinational crew comprises seven members from China, alongside others from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Ongoing discussions have led to initial contact established between Bulgarian officials and representatives of the ship’s Chinese owners, particularly concerning the unexpected entry of the tanker into Bulgarian waters without advance notification. Complications arose as the vessel's tracking system was turned off, yet authorities managed to ascertain its movement through data from the tug 'Timur Bay,' which had previously abandoned the tanker. In response to the situation, Bulgaria summoned the Turkish ambassador to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tanker’s abandonment. The meeting included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov and Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev, who pressed for details concerning the operation conducted by a private Turkish entity. The ambassador confirmed that the Turkish state had not been informed prior to the operation and stated that an internal investigation was underway. In the meantime, Minister Karadjov emphasized Bulgaria’s concerns, highlighting the tug's prior entry into territorial waters and its deliberate navigation towards Bulgaria. Bulgarian authorities have formally requested Turkey to clarify the reasons behind the towing operation and its implications for Bulgarian maritime responsibilities. Following these inquiries, information received from Ankara indicated that the tug had completed its task and returned to Igneada. Meanwhile, as weather conditions stabilize, efforts will be made for a comprehensive inspection of the 'Kairos' by the Border Police. The tanker remains in a precarious position, slowly drifting closer to shore amidst challenging sea conditions. Authorities express hope that a break in the weather would enable a controlled tow to safer harbor, likely in the Burgas roadstead. The Ministry of Transport has reiterated that the shipowner is accountable for both salvaging operations and the associated costs as rescue efforts continue.

On December 5, the tanker 'Kairos' found itself adrift in perilous conditions approximately 790-800 meters off the Ahtopol coast, near Burgas, Bulgaria. The situation arose after a towing attempt by a Turkish tug, which had begun on December 3, was abruptly halted. Consequently, the crew of ten sought immediate evacuation as their vessel faced the risk of running aground. In response, Bulgarian authorities launched a coordinated rescue operation involving the Maritime Administration Agency, Border Police, and Navy. While a border guard vessel and two tugs were on standby to assist, adverse weather conditions postponed the rescue efforts until the following morning of December 6. In the meantime, the ship remained under constant surveillance throughout the night. Fortunately, there were no signs of environmental impact reported by the Burgas regional administration, as essential monitoring was being conducted from both maritime and aerial perspectives. The crew members, well-equipped with protective gear, maintained ongoing communication with the rescue teams. At 4:35 p.m., the starboard anchor was deployed, and plans were under consideration to drop the port anchor to enhance the ship's stability. Due to the rough seas, all active maneuvering, including the potential evacuation or salvaging of the tanker, was scheduled for daytime operations. Meanwhile, a Border Police helicopter provided aerial observations of the situation using thermal imaging technology. All relevant ministries remained on high alert should conditions deteriorate. Citizens were advised to remain calm as the situation continued to unfold. For further updates, refer to the following reports with photos: [Bulgaria National Radio](https://bnr.bg/burgas/post/397044/balgarskite-sluzhbi-provezhdat-operatsiya-po-spasyavane-na-koraba-kairos) and [BTV Novinite](https://btvnovinite.bg/bulgaria/porazen-ot-ukrajna-tanker-misteriozno-doplava-do-balgarija-i-e-pred-zasjadane-kraj-ahtopol.html?__cf_chl_tk=yDnankzsF5jOUobVZMs1eD_yRZneNJNz1h93r5aZ7aA-1764977217-1.0.1.1-6yQYnJbQR70viVg1C1Y7cRRWUIXnjWDW6eBwK.3Ig8U.

On November 28, 2025, a series of explosions erupted aboard the sanctioned Russian tankers 'Kairos' and 'Virat' in the Black Sea, close to the Bosphorus strait. The 'Kairos,' which was navigating towards Novorossiysk from Port Said, suffered an initial blast off the coast of Kefken, located in Kocaeli’s Kandira district in northwestern Türkiye, leading to a significant fire on board. Prompt action was taken as Turkish rescue units, including the fast rescue boats 'KEGM 9' and 'KEGM 10', alongside the tug 'Kurtarma 12' and the emergency response vessel 'Nene Hatun', were deployed to assist in the operation. The operation led to the successful rescue of all 25 crew members, who were subsequently transferred to medical staff at Sile Kovanagzi Pier. Throughout the night, efforts continued with the 'Kurtarma 12' and 'Nene Hatun' working tirelessly to extinguish the flames—notably, the fire was contained to the vessel's enclosures, with no flames reported on the deck. Reports from the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs indicated that the first explosion occurred aboard 'Kairos', followed by a second explosion impacting the 'Virat' approximately 30 minutes later. The 'Virat', which was traveling from Ust-Luga, experienced its explosion around 35 nautical miles off the eastern coast of the Black Sea. While heavy smoke was detected in the engine room, the 20 crew members onboard were reported to be safe. Speculation arises that 'Virat' may have struck a mine during its voyage. It's important to note that both tankers are implicated in sanctions due to their links to Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The 'Virat' previously identified itself under the flag of Gambia but is now treated as unregistered following its sale to a Chinese company in January 2025. It was placed under U.S. sanctions for oil transport in January 2025, with the EU and UK following suit later that year. Meanwhile, the 'Kairos' was identified as one of 72 ships removed from the Gambian registry amid fraudulent practices. Initially operating under the name 'Katiuska', this vessel was sanctioned by the EU in May 2025, with the UK listing it in July after its sale to Alafia Trading in August 2025. Despite these incidents, shipping traffic in the strait continued as rescue operations unfolded. For further information, including pictures and videos, visit [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/tanker-hit-by-blast-fire-north-turkeys-bosphorus-strait-agency-says-2025-11-28/) and [The Cradle](https://thecradle.co/articles/ukraine-claims-attack-on-russian-vessels-off-turkish-coast).

On November 29, 2023, Ukraine reported a significant maritime operation resulting in attacks on the Russian tankers 'Virat' and 'Kairos' by Sea Baby drones. Conducted by the Ukrainian Navy and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this operation crippled the vessels, marking a notable disruption to Russian oil transportation efforts. The 'Virat', situated approximately 35 nautical miles offshore in the Black Sea, faced a UAV attack that inflicted damage to its starboard side above the waterline during the early hours of November 29. Fortunately, the crew onboard reported no injuries, and there was no fire on the ship, which has not emitted a distress signal. First responders maintained a safe distance as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, the 'Kairos' reported an explosion and subsequent fire approximately 28 nautical miles away from the Turkish coast, necessitating the evacuation of its 25 crew members, all of whom were safe and unharmed. Turkish authorities, who have yet to assess contamination in the surrounding waters, are preparing to send environmental experts and divers to the site once the fire is under control. Firefighting efforts were underway, led by the vessel 'Kurtarma 12'. Both tankers had previously faced Western sanctions due to their involvement in the transportation of oil from Russian ports, which have been heavily scrutinized following the embargo imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In addition to targeting the tankers, the Ukrainian military also launched strikes on the Afipsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, triggering explosions and fires, further intensifying the conflict's impact on energy resources. This incident reflects the ongoing maritime challenges and military tensions resulting from the war. For more visual insights, view reports with photos and videos here: [Link1](https://www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/kosmos/559142/mayri-thalassa-pos-egine-i-oukraniki-epithesi-sta-deksamenoploia-kairos-kai-virat-vinteo) [Link2](https://x.com/i/status/1994701170523435196) [Link3](https://x.com/i/status/1994531073162698916) [Link4](https://x.com/i/status/1994527434088014263).

On December 1, 2018, a critical medevac operation took place off the coast of Saint Pierre when a Greek sailor sustained a severe injury to his right hand aboard the tanker 'Filikon'. The distress call was made at 11:15 a.m. to the CROSS (Cross Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Center) when the vessel was situated approximately 50 nautical miles from shore. Experts at the Maritime Medical Consultation Center in Toulouse promptly evaluated the sailor's condition during a conference call, determining the urgency of the situation. The SNSM (National Society for Sea Rescue) from Saint-Pierre swiftly mobilized and reached the tanker by 3 p.m., covering a distance of 16 miles. Following successful coordination, the injured sailor was transferred onto the SNSM boat and taken ashore, where he was subsequently rushed to the Saint-Pierre University Hospital for immediate medical treatment.