Suspected Russian drone hits tanker at Izmail, sparks cross-border evacuations
A suspected Russian drone strike struck the Turkish-owned tanker MT Orinda in Ukraine’s Odesa region on Monday, igniting a fire while the vessel was being offloaded at Izmail port. The incident occurred one day after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy finalized a deal to import U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) into Odesa.
According to the Associated Press and Turkey’s Directorate for Maritime Affairs, the MT Orinda — reported to be carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) — was hit during unloading operations. All 16 crew members were evacuated safely, officials said.
Cross-river impact and evacuations
Video filmed from the Romanian bank of the Danube showed the tanker engulfed in flames, sending thick black smoke over the river. Romanian authorities ordered evacuations in the villages of Plauru and Ceatalchioi in Tulcea County, directly opposite Izmail, as a precaution.
Military and regional responses
Ukrainian regional military commander Oleh Kiper reported that drones caused multiple fires and damaged several civilian vessels in the area. Romania’s Ministry of National Defense said radar systems tracked several aerial targets during the night but that no violation of Romanian airspace was detected.
"The Russian Federation’s forces attacked areas in Ukraine located in the vicinity of the river border with Romania on the night of Sunday, November 16th, to Monday, November 17th," the ministry said. "The Ministry of National Defense radar monitoring and surveillance systems detected and tracked targets that evolved in the Ukrainian airspace, in the proximity of Tulcea County."
The ministry also notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations to activate alert measures for residents in northern Tulcea County around the Izmail area.
Strategic context
The Danube corridor has grown in strategic importance for Ukraine’s exports since Russia withdrew from the U.N.-brokered Black Sea Grain Deal in 2023, increasing reliance on river and port routes. The strike came amid renewed attacks on Odesa’s ports and energy infrastructure.
NATO has expressed concern about strikes near its borders and has expanded air-defence operations under its Eastern Sentry initiative in response to intensified attacks close to alliance members.
Energy link: Zelenskyy’s LNG agreement, finalized during his visit to Greece, envisages U.S. liquefied natural gas flowing to Odesa via pipelines from the northern Greek port of Alexandroupolis, with supplies expected to begin in January. The deal aims to bolster Ukraine’s winter energy security as Russian strikes continue to target power and port infrastructure.
The situation remains fluid; authorities in Ukraine and Romania continue investigations and monitoring, while maritime and emergency services respond to the blaze and its aftermath.
