Russian forces continued their series of drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian energy targets, hitting the port city of Izmail in the Odessa region, near the Romanian border.
At least one drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker, setting it ablaze—just one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a deal to import U.S. liquefied natural gas through the area.
One of the fires in the port of Izmail after the Geran strikes.#SpecialMilitaryOperation #Arrivals #NaziUkraine pic.twitter.com/AwZFxVx0B1
— Rajendran (@Rajendr67215893) November 17, 2025
According to Euronews:
“The MT Orinda was hit during the offloading of liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, Turkey’s Directorate for Maritime Affairs said. All 16 crew on board evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.”
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian Black Sea ports with drones, missiles, and artillery.
Authorities on the Romanian side of the border ordered evacuations of people and animals from two nearby villages due to the hazardous nature of the tanker’s cargo.
🇷🇺🇺🇦🇷🇴 Romania evacuates village as Russian drone struck ship stationed in Izmail in Odessa region
Ship carrying 4,000 tons of liquified gas was struck by Russian drone on the bank of the Danube river — authorities believe the risk of explosion is high pic.twitter.com/ubsFrkE5fw
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) November 17, 2025
While Ukrainian officials did not comment specifically on the tanker incident, Oleh Kiper, head of the regional military administration, confirmed that Russian drones attacked the Odesa region overnight, damaging energy and port infrastructure in multiple cities.
On Sunday, Zelensky was in Greece to finalize a deal allowing U.S. liquefied natural gas to flow to Odesa via pipelines from the northern port of Alexandroupolis starting in January.
Two other vessels were also damaged in Izmail, and the 110 kV Etalon substation was struck, further disrupting regional energy supplies.