Huge fire engulfs a burning oil tanker off Sochi,as black smoke blankets Russian popular Black Sea resort

(Picture: east2west news)

An oil tanker thought to have been part of Russia’s shadow fleet has exploded off the coast of Sochi.

Plumes of smoke can be seen for miles covering the Black Sea holiday resort on Tuesday night.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the blast.

According to Sochi Online,the vessel was attacked by ‘unmanned boats’ but the port city’s authority has not yet commented.

Thick smoke has obscured the sky above the city,a playground for Russia’s wealthy,with locals told to wear masks and keep their windows shut.

The beaches were all closed too.

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.Russian Telegram channels claim the ship could be the Liberia-flagged tanker Aframax Rea.The ship is a large crude oil tanker and was included on Ukraine’s sanctions list as part of Russia’s shadow fleet.The tanker was carrying crude oil from Novorossiysk to India and was nearly fully loaded.According to the Russian reports,the captain called for the safe evacuation of his 23-strong crew. No fatalities or injuries were reported.The president said Ukraine’s emergency services and air force were ready to respond to the Russian attack ‘to the extent that our means of protection allow.’Zelensky called on Ukraine’s allies,particularly in Europe and the US to transfer any means of protection to the country if they can.‘The world is bigger than Russian evil,and protecting life must be a common cause. I thank everyone who is really helping,’ he said.At least 13 people were killed and 104 others injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine in the last 24 hours as a Russian air strike damaged a hospital in Kryvyi Rih.