Tรผrkiye has raised fresh concerns about the safety of civilian shipping in the Black Sea after drones struck two Turkish-owned vessels. Several crew members reportedly suffered injuries, including Turkish nationals. The attacks have increased concerns that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is moving beyond military targets. Commercial vessels now face growing risks as fighting continues across the strategically important waterway.
Turkish-Owned Ships Hit by Drones
Tรผrkiyeโs Foreign Ministry said the vessels Yaลar and Nadezhda came under attack after leaving Russiaโs Novorossiysk port on Monday evening.
“It has been learned that the Turkish-owned civilian ships Yaลar and Nadezhda were attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles after leaving Novorossiysk Port yesterday evening, and that a group of personnel, including our citizens, were injured,” the ministry said.
The ministry said protecting Turkish citizens remains Ankaraโs โtop priorityโ. Authorities are also monitoring the condition of those injured in the incident.
Tรผrkiye expressed โserious concernโ over the growing impact of the conflict on civilian maritime traffic. Officials warned that continued escalation could create broader regional consequences.
“There is serious concern that the war between Russia and Ukraine is spreading in the Black Sea, affecting civilian vessels despite all our warnings,” the statement said.
“Unless preventive measures are taken, the escalation in the Black Sea will have multidimensional adverse consequences, including for food security,” it added.
Tรผrkiye Calls for Safer Commercial Navigation
Ankara has urged all sides involved in the conflict to take immediate steps to protect commercial vessels.
“We reiterate our call to all relevant actors, especially the warring parties, to urgently implement concrete measures to ensure navigational safety in the Black Sea,” the ministry said.
The latest incident has added pressure on efforts to maintain safe maritime routes. The Black Sea remains an important corridor for regional trade and food supplies.
Nadezhda Crew Evacuated After Attack
The cargo vessel Nadezhda was travelling from Novorossiysk toward Samsun in northern Tรผrkiye when drones reportedly struck the ship.
The attack occurred around 20 nautical miles from Novorossiysk. According to the vesselโs operator, all 22 crew members were evacuated to Russia.
Three crew members reportedly suffered serious injuries. Meanwhile, a fire continued burning near the shipโs bow after the attack.
Authorities have not yet established who carried out the strike. The uncertainty adds another layer of concern as attacks continue to affect maritime activity in the region.
Black Sea Shipping Faces Growing Risks
The incident comes during a period of heightened military activity around the Black Sea. Commercial shipping has increasingly faced disruption and security risks as the Russia-Ukraine war continues.
Tรผrkiyeโs latest warning highlights concerns that further escalation could affect international trade and food security. Protecting civilian vessels will therefore remain a major challenge as the conflict continues.
For now, Ankara is urging immediate preventive measures to protect maritime routes. However, the latest attacks show how difficult it may be to keep civilian shipping insulated from the wider conflict.
