Russian-flagged tanker struck by drones - 2nd black sea attack in 3 days as Putin hosts US officials

Just as American diplomats prepare for talks with Putin, the Russian tanker MIDVOLGA-2 is struck in the Black Sea—marking the third assault on Russian shipping near Turkey in a week. With 13 crew and a cargo of sunflower oil, the vessel escaped harm, but Turkish President Erdogan is sounding alarms after suspected kamikaze drone attacks on ‘shadow fleet’ tankers Kairos and Virat. Ankara calls this a “worrying escalation,” as Ukraine denies involvement and insists it’s only targeting sanctioned Russian ships.