Russia-linked shadow tanker Kairos, damaged in a maritime drone strike, remains stranded less than a kilometer from the Bulgarian coast near Ahtopol, while Bulgarian authorities continue the operation to support and evacuate its crew. The vessel drifted ashore on December 5 during a Black Sea storm.
The tanker was hit by a maritime drone about a week earlier while sailing near Turkey. Ukraine took responsibility for the attack. The explosion started a fire on board and left the ship without power. Turkish authorities later extinguished the fire and arranged a tow, but Kairos somehow ended up adrift. According to Bulgarian officials, the tug Timur Bey brought the tanker from Turkish waters and appears to have released it about six miles from the Bulgarian coast. How and why the tow was dropped remains unclear and is now under investigation.
When the tanker approached Bulgaria’s territorial waters on Friday, it did not respond to radio calls. Later, authorities confirmed that 10 crewmembers were still on board. Initial reports said the master and senior officers had already left the vessel. The remaining crew released the starboard anchor, which is currently holding the 274-meter tanker in place about 700–800 meters from shore. There is no crude oil cargo on board, so there is no immediate pollution threat.
Severe weather has repeatedly halted rescue attempts. High winds and rough seas prevented border police from boarding the ship on Saturday. On Sunday, a Bulgarian Navy helicopter managed to deliver food, water, a diesel generator, and communications equipment. Shortly after, at the request of the owner, three crewmembers were airlifted to shore. On Monday, the helicopter returned and evacuated four more.
Three seafarers still remain aboard. According to the latest information, seven members of the multinational crew are from China, and the rest are from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Bulgarian officials have now established contact with representatives of the Chinese owners, though earlier the vessel entered the country’s waters without any notification.
The Ministry of Transport has requested information from Turkey’s authorities about the tow and the movements of Timur Bey. Officials want to know who hired the tug, what the towing plan was, and where the tanker was supposed to go.
The Kairos had been sanctioned by the EU and UK for participating in the Russian oil trade and was reportedly en route to Russia when it was attacked. The vessel’s flag remains unclear. Previous reports listed Gambia as a possible false flag, while Bulgarian officials say the ship reported registration in Benin.
The tanker remains stable but continues to inch closer to shore in heavy seas. Authorities hope a break in the weather will allow a controlled tow to a safer location, likely the roadstead at Burgas. The Ministry of Transport stresses that the shipowner is responsible for the salvage and the costs of the ongoing rescue operations.
