A Liberia-flagged oil tanker, Aframax Rio, was attacked by unmanned boats off Russia’s Black Sea coast, Russia’s Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin said.

Axar.az reports, citing the Ministry's Telegram channel, that the tanker was carrying oil at the time of the incident. All 23 crew members, who are Indian nationals, were rescued. No injuries have been reported, according to preliminary information.

Oil is currently burning in the Black Sea waters. Firefighting operations will begin once the intensity of the blaze decreases enough to allow rescue vessels to approach the tanker safely.

Nikitin said the available forces and equipment were sufficient to deal with the consequences of the incident.