A Panamanian-flagged oil tanker named Mersin, allegedly linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, suffered four external explosions while anchored off Dakar, Senegal, Turkish management firm Besiktas Shipping reported Monday.
The company reported that the blasts flooded Mersin’s engine room with seawater but said the vessel remained stable, its crew unharmed, and no environmental damage was observed.
Videos shared on social media, however, show that the vessel is sinking following the attack.
The Panamanian-flagged and Turkish-owned oil tanker, M/T MERSIN, alleged to be affiliated with the Russian Shadow Fleet, is currently sinking off the coast of Dakar, Senegal in Western Africa, after reportedly coming under attack overnight by several uncrewed surface vessels, in… pic.twitter.com/t3dOVn1fSA
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 30, 2025
The incident occurred a day before Ukrainian naval drones struck two other Russian oil tankers, also linked to the shadow fleet, in the Black Sea.
The Security Service of Ukraine claimed responsibility for the strike, calling it a “significant blow” to Russia’s oil transport network.
