Strana 31
Tanker Explosions
On the Ukrainian side, a new type of attack
appeared during the monitored period: naval
drones targeting tankers of Russia’s shadow
fleet. These vessels are scattered worldwide,
often in questionable technical condition,
and are used by Moscow to export oil under
international sanctions. As a result, they
cannot be insured or serviced in ports.
In the Black Sea, on Saturday, 29 November,
naval drones Sea Baby struck two tankers,
Kairos and Virat. Both were empty and heading
to Novorossiysk to load oil. Both ships were
hit in the stern, where their engines and fuel
tanks are located. Fires broke out on both
vessels but were later extinguished, and the
damaged tankers remained afloat.
Another attack occurred in an unexpected
location: the tanker Mersin was hit by four
“external explosions” while anchored off the
coast of Senegal in West Africa. As a result of
the naval drone attack, the engine room was
flooded.
Ex-Slovak MiGs in Action
Several new images appeared during the
monitored period showing ex-Slovak MiG-29AS
fighters, which Ukraine received in spring
2023. They are thus still operational more than
two and a half years later. Two photographs
of two different aircraft were released, both
equipped with pylons for guided bombs. One
aircraft appears capable of carrying GBU-39
SDB (Small Diameter Bomb) munitions, while
the other has pylons for GBU-39 JDAM
-
ER
(Joint Direct Attack Munition – Extended
Range). The former Slovak aircraft have thus
gained capabilities in Ukrainian service that
they never had at home, as Slovak Air Force
MiG-29AS fighters were not equipped for
precision ground attack.
At the same time, cockpit video footage was
released showing an ex-Slovak MiG-29AS in
action. The aircraft was flying a mission in
the frontline area (likely a bombing mission)
when it was targeted by Russian air-defense
missiles. The pilot was forced to evade
through a series of violent maneuvers at
very low altitude. That it was a former Slovak
Ukrainian naval drones attacking Russian tankers in the Black Sea.
Damaged tanker the day after the fire was extinguished.
Ukraine Mirage 2000.
New images of the ex-Slovak MiG-29AS fighters. The characteristic antenna behind the cockpit,
overpainted original markings, and heavily worn paint can be noticed.
A cockpit video still of a wildly
maneuvering ex-Slovak MiG
UKRAINE
INFO Eduard
31
January 2026