India, Oct. 7 -- A Ukrainian drone attack on an oil tanker off Russia's southern coast on Tuesday evening put 23 Indian crew members on board at risk, but all of them were rescued, Russia's transport ministry said.

The Liberian-flagged tanker caught fire after being hit by "naval drones", sending thick black smoke over the resort city of Sochi, news agency AFP reported.

The incident comes amid growing attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. In recent days, Russia has also struck grain vessels carrying Ukrainian goods near the coast of Romania, an EU member state.

Videos and photographs shared on social media showed bright orange flames burning offshore, with thick black smoke rising i...