Date: 18 November 2025
Location: Izmail Port, Odesa Region, Ukraine

A Turkish-flagged LPG tanker named Orinda caught fire after being struck by a Russian drone during an overnight attack on Ukraine’s Danube port infrastructure. The incident took place at the Port of Izmail, one of Ukraine’s key commercial gateways along the Danube River.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the tanker was in the process of offloading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) when a drone hit the vessel, causing an immediate fire on board.

Crew Evacuated Safely — No Casualties Reported

Officials confirmed that all 16 crew members aboard Orinda were evacuated safely.
There were no injuries or fatalities recorded in the initial reports.

Firefighters and emergency teams were deployed instantly, and cooling operations began to prevent any further escalation.

Explosion Risk — Nearby Romanian Village Evacuated

Because the tanker was carrying a significant amount of LPG, authorities warned of a potential explosion hazard.

As a precaution:

The nearby Romanian border village Plauru (across the Danube) was temporarily evacuated.
Residents were instructed to remain at a safe distance until the situation was fully controlled by firefighting teams.

Romanian border police also confirmed that no Romanian territory was hit, but safety measures were taken due to the tanker fire risk.

Part of a Larger Drone Wave Across Ukraine

The strike on Orinda occurred during a large-scale overnight drone attack launched by Russia targeting Ukrainian energy and port facilities.

Ukraine’s military reported that:

Over 100+ drones were launched across multiple regions.
Izmail and Reni ports — both on the Danube — were among the targets.
Infrastructure, warehouses, and docked vessels suffered partial damage.

The Danube ports are crucial for Ukraine’s grain, fuel, and cargo exports, especially since the Black Sea routes remain high-risk during the ongoing war.

Firefighting and Damage Assessment in Progress

Emergency services are:

Working to fully extinguish the fire
Cooling the tanker’s hull to prevent ignition of stored LPG
Monitoring for structural or environmental hazards

Authorities have not yet released a complete damage report, but early updates indicate that the cargo area and deck structures of Orinda sustained the majority of the fire damage.

Significance of the Incident

This incident highlights two major concerns:

1. Rising Attacks on Civilian & Commercial Shipping

The targeting of a commercial LPG tanker shows the expanding risks to civilian maritime operations in the region.

2. Threat to Danube Trade Corridor

The Izmail and Reni ports are among the few remaining operational export routes for Ukraine.
Attacks here can disrupt:

Fuel shipments
Agricultural exports
Regional supply chains

Conclusion

The drone strike on the LPG tanker Orinda at Izmail Port marks one of the most serious maritime incidents in the region in recent months.
While the crew is safe and firefighting efforts continue, the situation underscores the rising threat to commercial vessels operating near the conflict zone.

Authorities in Ukraine and Romania remain on high alert, and detailed investigations are ongoing.