International Crisis: Sanctioned Tanker KAIROS, Struck by Ukraine, Abandoned Near Bulgaria’s CoastThe crippled and sanctioned oil tanker KAIROS (IMO: 9236004), which was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea, has become the center of a complex maritime crisis after being mysteriously abandoned in Bulgarian territorial waters near the town of Ahtopol. The incident highlights the severe risks associated with the conflict's expansion into commercial shipping and raises immediate diplomatic and environmental concerns.International Crisis: Sanctioned Tanker KAIROS, Struck by Ukraine, Abandoned Near Bulgaria’s CoastThe crippled and sanctioned oil tanker KAIROS ($\text{IMO}: 9236004$), which was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea, has become the center of a complex maritime crisis after being mysteriously abandoned in Bulgarian territorial waters near the town of Ahtopol. The incident highlights the severe risks associated with the conflict's expansion into commercial shipping and raises immediate diplomatic and environmental concerns.The KAIROS, a Supramax tanker flagged in Gambia and subject to sanctions by the EU, UK, and Canada for its involvement in the so-called "shadow fleet" serving Russian oil trade, was hit by a Ukrainian "Sea Baby" drone in Turkey’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) while en route to Novorossiysk, Russia. The attack sparked a major fire, which Turkish authorities fought for three days. Following the containment of the fire, the tanker was taken under tow by the Turkish tug TIMUR BEY ($\text{IMO}: 8655576$). Despite being reportedly headed for Tuzla, Turkey, the tug instead proceeded towards Bulgaria. The tow line was abruptly cut, and the tug allegedly switched off its AIS (Automatic Identification System) before leaving the disabled tanker in Bulgarian waters. The KAIROS, with approximately 10 crew members remaining on board and operating without power, came precariously close (about 5 to 7 cables, or less than a kilometer) to the rocky shore of Ahtopol, facing a severe risk of grounding amid strong winds. The unauthorized and unexplained abandonment of a compromised, sanctioned vessel in its waters put the Bulgarian government under immediate pressure. Bulgarian authorities, including the Maritime Administration, Border Police, and Navy (VMS), activated a search and rescue (SAR) operation, dispatching a naval helicopter and preparing tugboats. A board inspection has been scheduled. Officials have stated that there is no immediate danger of a large-scale oil spill as the tanker was sailing in ballast (empty of cargo) at the time of the attack. However, the presence of residual fuel oil and the severe weather conditions maintain a high environmental risk. Diplomatic sources suggested that the Turkish Ambassador might be summoned in Sofia due to the actions of the Turkish-flagged tugboat, an act an anonymous maritime security expert termed an "absolute provocation against Bulgaria." The attack on KAIROS, alongside similar strikes on tankers VIRAT and MIDVOLGA 2, forms part of Ukraine’s strategy to target the Russian "shadow fleet" and critical energy infrastructure, such as the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal near Novorossiysk. Russia labels these actions as "piracy" and "terrorism." Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Romania have strongly condemned the attacks on commercial shipping, emphasizing the risks to global energy security and maritime safety. Meanwhile, the constant threat from drifting naval mines and the reported presence of military drones (like the two suspected drones reported by Romania) further complicate the already perilous environment for all Black Sea shipping. The presence of the stricken KAIROS off the Bulgarian coast serves as a stark reminder that the conflict’s maritime consequences directly affect the security and stability of all Black Sea nations.International Crisis: Sanctioned Tanker KAIROS, Struck by Ukraine, Abandoned Near Bulgaria’s CoastThe crippled and sanctioned oil tanker KAIROS ($\text{IMO}: 9236004$), which was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea, has become the center of a complex maritime crisis after being mysteriously abandoned in Bulgarian territorial waters near the town of Ahtopol. The incident highlights the severe risks associated with the conflict's expansion into commercial shipping and raises immediate diplomatic and environmental concerns.The KAIROS, a Supramax tanker flagged in Gambia and subject to sanctions by the EU, UK, and Canada for its involvement in the so-called "shadow fleet" serving Russian oil trade, was hit by a Ukrainian "Sea Baby" drone in Turkey’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) while en route to Novorossiysk, Russia. The attack sparked a major fire, which Turkish authorities fought for three days. Following the containment of the fire, the tanker was taken under tow by a Turkish tug. Despite being reportedly headed for Tuzla, Turkey, the tug instead proceeded towards Bulgaria. The tow line was abruptly cut, and the tug allegedly switched off its AIS (Automatic Identification System) before leaving the disabled tanker in Bulgarian waters. The KAIROS, with approximately 10 crew members remaining on board and operating without power, came precariously close less than a kilometer to the rocky shore of Ahtopol, facing a severe risk of grounding amid strong winds. The unauthorized and unexplained abandonment of a compromised, sanctioned vessel in its waters put the Bulgarian government under immediate pressure. Bulgarian authorities, including the Maritime Administration, Border Police, and Navy (VMS), activated a search and rescue (SAR) operation, dispatching a naval helicopter and preparing tugboats. A board inspection has been scheduled. Officials have stated that there is no immediate danger of a large-scale oil spill as the tanker was sailing in ballast (empty of cargo) at the time of the attack. However, the presence of residual fuel oil and the severe weather conditions maintain a high environmental risk. Diplomatic sources suggested that the Turkish Ambassador might be summoned in Sofia due to the actions of the Turkish-flagged tugboat, an act an anonymous maritime security expert termed an "absolute provocation against Bulgaria." The attack on KAIROS, alongside similar strikes on tankers VIRAT and MIDVOLGA 2, forms part of Ukraine’s strategy to target the Russian "shadow fleet" and critical energy infrastructure, such as the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal near Novorossiysk. The presence of the stricken KAIROS off the Bulgarian coast serves as a stark reminder that the conflict’s maritime consequences directly affect the security and stability of all Black Sea nations.