Turkey Urges Black Sea Shipping Safety After 2 Turkish-Owned Vessels Are Struck Near Novorossiysk
Updated
Updated · The Moscow Times · Aug 4
Turkey Urges Black Sea Shipping Safety After 2 Turkish-Owned Vessels Are Struck Near Novorossiysk
3 articles · Updated · The Moscow Times · Aug 4
Summary
Two Turkish-owned cargo ships were hit after leaving Novorossiysk on Monday evening, prompting Ankara to demand urgent steps from Russia and Ukraine to protect Black Sea navigation.
The Nadezhda was attacked about 20 nautical miles off Novorossiysk while bound for Samsun; all 22 crew were brought to safety in Russia, but three were seriously injured and a fire kept burning in the bow.
Turkey said several crew members on the two ships, including Turkish citizens, were injured and warned the war is spreading across the Black Sea with risks for food security.
Ukraine, which often claims strikes on Russian warships and shadow-fleet tankers, had not commented; the vessels fly Panama and Cameroon flags but are owned by Turkish companies.
The attacks extend weeks of strikes on commercial vessels and port infrastructure that have lifted global wheat prices, following a Turkish fishing boat hit in June and a Turkish cargo ship attacked in May.