A Turkish merchant ship attacked by a Russian drone in the Black Sea. No casualties were recorded

Ukraine accused Russia of striking a Turkish merchant ship with a drone in the Black Sea on Saturday, a day after a Russian airstrike damaged another Turkish ship.

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The Ukrainian Navy said in a statement that the ship “LIVE”under the Turkish flag, hit on Saturday was transporting sunflower oil to Egypt.

There were no casualties among the 11 sailors on board and the freighter was able to continue its journey, writes Agerpres.

In the same communique it is also mentioned that the ship was hit off the Black Sea, in the exclusive economic zone of Ukraine, but outside the range of action of the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense.

After meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that “The Black Sea should not be considered a confrontation zone.”

“Everyone needs safe sailing in the Black Sea”, Erdogan told journalists on board the presidential plane.

Russia attacked two Ukrainian ports on Friday, damaging three Turkish ships, including a ship carrying food supplies, Ukrainian officials and a shipowner said, days after Moscow threatened to cut off Ukraine from the sea.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry confirmed the damage in the port of Chernomorsk, adding that no casualties among Turkish citizens were reported.

“We reiterate the need for an agreement whereby, in order to prevent the escalation of the conflict in the Black Sea, the attacks targeting the safety of navigation, as well as the energy and port infrastructure of the parties, are suspended”the ministry's statement says.

Turkey has warned in recent weeks about a “worrying escalation” in the Black Sea after Ukraine claimed drone attacks on oil tankers linked to Russia.