A Russian-flagged tanker loaded with sunflower oil reported a drone assault off the Turkish coast on Tuesday, however its 13 crew members had been unhurt, Turkey’s maritime authority and the Tribeca transport company mentioned.
Ukrainian naval drones final week hit two tankers sanctioned by Kyiv and a few of its Western allies within the Black Sea as they headed to a Russian port to load oil destined for overseas markets, because the nation makes an attempt to pile stress on Russia’s oil sector.
Ukraine’s overseas ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi mentioned Ukraine was not concerned in Tuesday’s assault, that it made “no sense” to assault the ship given its path to Georgia, and added that “Russia could have staged the entire thing”.
In response to assaults within the Black Sea on ships within the Russian “shadow fleet”, President Vladimir Putin threatened to sever Ukraine’s entry to the ocean, including Moscow would intensify strikes on Ukrainian services and vessels, and take measures in opposition to tankers of nations that assist Ukraine.
Besiktas Delivery, the Turkish proprietor of an oil tanker that was broken by blasts close to Senegal’s coast final week, mentioned it had halted all Russia-related transport operations, citing the escalating safety dangers.
ATTACKS ON BLACK SEA SHIPPING
The vessel attacked on Tuesday, MIDVOLGA-2, reported being focused 80 miles (130 km) off the Turkish coast however didn’t request help and was continuing in direction of Turkey’s Sinop port, Turkey’s Maritime Affairs Directorate mentioned on X.
Tribeca mentioned the ship had been attacked by a drone. It was not instantly clear who had attacked the ship.
Turkey’s maritime authority mentioned the ship was crusing from Russia to Georgia, whereas Tribeca mentioned it was sure for Mersin. Each mentioned the ship was now en path to Sinop with out help.
“The mandatory messages had been conveyed to the related events, together with Ukrainian authorities,” a Turkish official mentioned when requested for remark.Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan mentioned on Monday that assaults on industrial ships within the Black Sea had been unacceptable, issuing a warning to “all associated sides”.
Besiktas Delivery’s tanker was hit whereas anchored close to Dakar a day after the Ukrainian naval drone assaults. It was not clear what had precipitated the explosions.
NATO member Turkey has maintained cordial ties with Kyiv and Moscow, offering navy assist to Ukraine whereas refusing to hitch Western sanctions on Moscow.
It has beforehand hosted three rounds of peace talks between the warring sides.
Ankara has demanded navigational security within the Black Sea, the place it shares maritime borders with Russia and Ukraine.
(Reuters – Reporting by Daren Butler and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Extra reporting by Yuliia Dysa in Kyiv, Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow and Enes Tunagur in London; Modifying by Thomas Derpinghaus, Alexander Smith, Alexandra Hudson)
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