Black Sea Tensions Rise as Ukrainian Drone Strikes Target Russian Tankers

A Russian-flagged tanker, reportedly carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Georgia, was attacked in the Black Sea, according to Turkish authorities. The incident occurred approximately 130 kilometers off Turkey's coast and involved a kamikaze drone, as per the Turkish Maritime Affairs Directorate. Fortunately, the 13 crew members aboard the vessel MIDVOLGA2 were unharmed, and the ship did not request assistance as it made its way to the Turkish port of Sinop. This attack follows recent drone strikes by Ukraine on two Russian vessels, the Kairos and the Virat, which took place last Friday in Turkey's exclusive economic zone. The Turkish coast guard and rescue units successfully intervened to rescue the crews of those ships, both of which are on the list of vessels subject to international sanctions due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These ships have been identified by the OpenSanctions database as part of Moscow's shadow fleet, a network of older cargo ships used to bypass restrictions on Russian crude oil transport. The situation is increasingly tense as Ukraine's naval strikes have proven effective against Russian shipping since the onset of the conflict. Historically, these Ukrainian operations have been primarily focused in the northern Black Sea, raising concerns about extensive maritime safety and environmental risks. In a related development, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the escalation on Monday, condemning Ukraine's drone attacks on the Kairos and Virat. In a televised message, he expressed concern over actions that endanger navigation safety and the environment within Turkish waters, emphasizing that Turkey would issue warnings to all involved parties regarding such threats. NATO member Turkey has attempted to maintain cordial relations with both Russia and Ukraine amid the prolonged conflict, facilitating low-level negotiations earlier this year. However, tangible progress has been limited, with the only significant breakthrough being an agreement regarding the exchange of prisoners of war. As tensions in the Black Sea continue to escalate, the international community watches closely to see how this volatile situation develops and what implications it may have for maritime security in the region. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2