Two Turkish seafarers were injured in a drone strike near Chornomorsk, prompting Ankara to press for urgent measures to protect civilian shipping and reduce regional tensions.
Turkey expressed concern and called for de-escalation after a drone attack on a vessel owned by a Turkish company under the Panamanian flag, which early on June 22 was struck near the port of Chornomorsk in Ukraine. Ankara’s assessment of the situation underscored the importance of protecting civilian shipping and stability in the Black Sea.
It has emerged that two of our nationals, who were part of the crew of the Turkish-owned vessel under the Panamanian flag, which on the morning of June 22 was attacked by a drone near the port of Chornomorsk in Ukraine, were injured.
– statement by the Turkish MFA
It was also highlighted that the condition of the crew on the vessel is being closely monitored by the Turkish Embassy in Kyiv and the Consulate General in Odesa.
We bring to the attention of the authorities of both countries our concern about attacks that threaten our interests in the Black Sea and regional security as a result of the escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian war… We call on all relevant parties to take measures to reduce tensions in the region.
– statement by the Turkish MFA
The statement also emphasizes that ensuring the safety of civilian navigation in the Black Sea is one of Turkey’s priorities and requires efforts from all participants to reduce risks in the region.
Incident and its consequences
According to preliminary data, Russian drones attacked two civilian merchant ships bound for Ukrainian ports. On board were nine crew members – nationals of Egypt, Turkey, and India. A rescue operation by the Ukrainian Navy allowed the crew of the bulk carrier to be evacuated, but a foreign national was killed.
In the context of this incident, Turkey calls for accountability and coordination among the conflict participants in order to minimize risks to civilian shipping and avoid further escalation in the Black Sea.
Overall, Turkish diplomacy emphasizes the importance of information sharing and prompt response to prevent further escalations and to ensure the safety of maritime traffic in the region.