Russian Ghost Ship Drifts 300 Miles After Drone Strike—Then Washes Up
The 108-metre Omskiy-107, abandoned after a Ukrainian drone attack, ran aground near Istanbul with severe fire damage.
A Russian-flagged cargo vessel, the Omskiy-107, washed ashore on Alacali Beach near Istanbul after drifting unmanned across the Black Sea. The ship suffered critical damage in a Ukrainian drone attack near Novorossiysk, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel when a fire destroyed its navigation bridge.
The 108-meter dry cargo ship, built in Romania in 1981, has a deadweight capacity of 3,248 metric tonnes. After the strike, strong Black Sea currents carried the abandoned vessel for hundreds of kilometers before grounding it on Turkey’s coastline. Local residents spotted the unmanned ship near the shore and alerted authorities, who dispatched teams from the Turkish Coast Guard and police to secure the area.
The Omskiy-107 was struck during a Ukrainian drone operation targeting vessels near Novorossiysk, a key Russian port now classified as an emergency zone due to frequent attacks on commercial shipping. The drone impact triggered a fire that rendered the ship’s bridge unusable, leaving the crew with no option but to evacuate. With no one left aboard to steer, the vessel became a drifting hazard in open waters.
From Attack to Abandonment: Drone
Once the ship ran aground, Turkish authorities initiated an investigation. Aerial surveys confirmed the extent of the damage, aligning with reports of the initial drone strike. The Turkish Coast Guard and local police established a perimeter around the site to prevent unauthorized access and potential environmental risks.
Officials are now evaluating the ship’s condition to decide whether it can be salvaged or will require dismantling. The Omskiy-107 remains stranded as authorities determine its final fate.
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