The war between Ukraine and Russia has entered new maritime territory. Ukrainian forces have launched their first-ever attack in the Mediterranean Sea against a vessel linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of ships used to bypass international sanctions.

According to sources from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), the strike was carried out using aerial drones against a ship sailing in international waters. Ukrainian media reported that the vessel was not carrying cargo at the time of the attack.

This marks the first Ukrainian operation targeting Russia’s shadow fleet outside the Black Sea. Until now, Kyiv had focused its naval drone attacks on vessels operating closer to Ukrainian shores.

Officials stated that the ship was hit more than 2,000 kilometers from the nearest Ukrainian territory, underscoring Kyiv’s growing ability to project force far beyond the immediate war zone.

The move signals a strategic shift aimed at pressuring Russia on the economic front.

Ukraine argues that these attacks are designed to undermine Moscow’s ability to finance the war through oil exports, which remain a vital source of revenue despite Western sanctions. Kyiv maintains that the targeted vessels violate international sanction regimes, making them legitimate military objectives.

The escalation and Turkey’s reaction

The escalation has raised concerns among regional powers. Turkey, which maintains cooperative ties with Ukraine, previously warned that similar attacks in the Black Sea could endanger commercial shipping and regional stability.

In retaliation, Russia bombed a merchant vessel in the Ukrainian port of Odesa, further heightening tensions in a critical maritime corridor.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated that the reciprocal strikes pose “a serious threat to maritime security,” as the conflict increasingly spills into international waters and global trade routes.