Marquise Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

**Title: Ukrainian Drones Strike 'Marquise,' a Russian Shadow Tanker, Near Tuapse** On April 29, 2026, Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels (USVs) successfully targeted the 'Marquise,' a vessel belonging to Russia's clandestine shadow fleet, approximately 210 kilometers southeast of Tuapse port. The attack unfolded when two drones, deployed by a unit of the Ukrainian Navy, struck the tanker. Notably, the 'Marquise' was operating without an AIS (Automatic Identification System) signal, suggesting it was anchored offshore, poised to receive cargo from another ship. The drone strike focused on the stern of the tanker, impacting critical areas such as the engine room and the propeller-rudder mechanism. Authorities are still evaluating the full extent of the damage incurred during the assault. This tanker has been under the scrutiny of international sanctions from several nations, including Ukraine, the UK, the European Union, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Canada, primarily for its role in transporting oil and petroleum products sourced from Russia since December 2023. The vessel is also associated with Lidoil DMCC, a UAE-based company, and has garnered attention for engaging in dubious shipping practices. These practices include navigating the Kerch Strait and ports in temporarily Russian-occupied Crimea, as well as opting to disable its AIS tracking to obscure its movements during strategic operations like ship-to-ship transfers. In related developments, Ukrainian drone operations extended their reach to oil infrastructure within Russia itself. Recent reports indicated significant strikes targeted facilities in the cities of Perm and Orsk during the night of April 29. Ukraine’s Security Service confirmed an assault on an oil pumping station near Perm that same day. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry reported that its air defense systems intercepted 98 Ukrainian drones across various regions, including Astrakhan, Belgorod, Volgograd, Voronezh, Kursk, Rostov, and Saratov, along with areas in Russian-occupied Crimea. Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s defense intelligence chief, disclosed that prior naval drone operations successfully downed two Russian Su-30SM fighter jets over the Black Sea using AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles produced in the United States.

The four crew members who were kidnapped from the 'Agisilaos' in the Gulf of Guinea in late November were released, it was announced on Jan 9, 2021, by the shipping company, Vangelis Marinakis. The ship was hijacked on Nove 29 while crossing the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Lomo, They were now safe and will undergo further medical examinations. The local authorities will be informed and then they will return to their families, where they will continue to receive full support. The Capital Ship Management thanked all those involved in securing their release. Due to the sensitive nature of the incident, there will be no further updates.