Turkey Condemns Fresh Attacks on Civilian Ships in Black Sea
Turkey has strongly condemned recent drone attacks on two civilian vessels in the Black Sea, saying the incidents left several crew members injured. The foreign ministry reported that the ships came under attack late Monday after departing the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
According to officials in Ankara, the situation of the wounded personnel is being closely monitored. The ministry expressed deep concern over the growing conflict between Russia and Ukraine that continues to endanger civilian shipping despite repeated diplomatic warnings from Turkey.
The two vessels, identified as Yasar and Nadezhda, sail under the Panamanian and Cameroonian flags but are owned by Turkish companies. Monitoring data from MarineTraffic confirmed their ownership and recent movements. Turkey stressed that civilian ships remain at risk even when they are not directly involved in the fighting.
Ankara called on all parties to take urgent and concrete steps to protect navigation safety in the Black Sea. Officials warned that further deterioration of shipping security could disrupt food supplies that rely on these important trade routes.
This is not the first time Turkish-linked vessels have been targeted. In late June a Turkish fishing boat was attacked near the Crimean coast, resulting in one death and four injuries. At the end of May, Turkey had already issued a strong warning about the risk of uncontrolled escalation after a drone strike on another Turkish cargo ship. The Ukrainian navy later claimed that a Russian drone was responsible for that incident.
Russia and Ukraine have increased strikes on commercial shipping in recent weeks, turning the Black Sea into a more dangerous zone for merchant and fishing vessels. Turkey has repeatedly urged restraint and better protection for civilian traffic, noting that the waterway remains vital for regional trade and global food transport.
The latest attacks add to growing tension at sea. Turkish authorities continue to monitor developments closely and have renewed their appeal for practical measures that can reduce the threat to peaceful shipping. As long as the conflict continues to spill into maritime routes, the risk to crew members and essential supply lines remains high.
