Two Turkish cargo vessels were targeted in drone attacks in the Black Sea shortly after departing from the Russian port of Novorossiisk. One of the ships was captured on video engulfed in flames, as reported by Euronews and Reuters.
The first ship, named “Nadezhda,” was struck by a drone on Monday evening while en route from Novorossiisk to the Turkish port of Samsun. The Turkish maritime authority stated that the attack occurred approximately 20 nautical miles from the port.
All 22 crew members were evacuated to Russia, including three who sustained serious injuries, while a fire broke out at the bow of the cargo ship.
Later that same night, the second vessel, “Yasar,” was also attacked.
Both ships, although owned by Turkish companies, sail under foreign flags: “Yasar” flies the Panamanian flag and “Nadezhda” the Cameroonian flag, according to MarineTraffic monitoring site.
Images of one of the ships on fire were shared on Reuters’ YouTube channel.
Ankara Condemns the Attacks
Following a drone attack on a Turkish cargo ship in late May, which prompted Ankara to warn of an “uncontrolled escalation” in the Black Sea, Turkish officials responded firmly once more on Tuesday.
“We are deeply concerned about the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, which is impacting civil maritime transport despite our numerous warnings,” stated the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The institution also noted that the situation of the evacuated and injured crew members aboard the two ships is being closely monitored.
In recent weeks, both Russia and Ukraine have intensified their attacks on cargo vessels. At the end of June, a Turkish fishing boat was attacked in the Black Sea near the Crimean coast, resulting in one death and four injuries.
