Turkey condemns Black Sea ship attacks, warns of food supply risks

Turkey's Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned recent attacks on two ships in the Black Sea, reporting that several crew members sustained injuries. The ministry confirmed the vessels were targeted shortly after departing from Russia's Novorossiysk port late Monday evening.

Expressing "deep concern" over the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the ministry highlighted its detrimental effect on civilian navigation, a risk Turkey has repeatedly warned about. "We urge all parties to urgently implement concrete measures to ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea," the statement read, warning that continued insecurity could jeopardize global food supplies.

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We are deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, which, despite our many warnings, is affecting civilian shipping.

According to maritime tracking data, the ships, identified as "Yasar" and "Nadezhda," fly Panamanian and Cameroonian flags, respectively, but are owned by Turkish companies. This incident follows a pattern of increased strikes against cargo ships in the region.

Earlier in June, a Turkish fishing vessel was attacked near the Crimean coast, resulting in one death and four injuries. In late May, following a drone attack on a Turkish cargo ship, Ankara cautioned against "uncontrolled escalation" in the Black Sea, with Ukraine's Navy attributing that attack to a Russian drone.

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We urge all parties to urgently implement concrete measures to ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.