Two Turkish-operated vessels have been struck this week amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey, Naryman Dzhelialo, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara after the attacks on Turkish-operated vessels in the Black Sea. Turkish officials expressed their concerns during a meeting with the ambassador on Saturday, as reported by the AFP news agency.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "During the meeting, Turkey warned about the absolute need to ensure the safety of people, of assets, of navigation and of the environment in the Black Sea." This meeting follows the attack on the Turkish-operated container ship Lider Bordo Mavi, which was struck off the coast of Tuapse, Russia, on Wednesday. The Lider Kocatepe was also targeted by a drone while en route to assist the Lider Bordo Mavi the following day. Turkish media reported that the Lider Bordo Mavi was towed to the Turkish port of Samsun.
Turkey has been urging for a cessation of attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, as Ukraine and Russia continue to target each other's export revenues. The risk of navigating the Black Sea has increased since Russia initiated its war on Ukraine in February 2022, with attacks escalating in recent months. Several commercial Turkish ships have been struck by drones believed to have been launched by Ukraine, including an incident earlier this month where three crew members were seriously injured when the Nadezhda cargo ship was hit near the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
Turkey maintains diplomatic relations with both Moscow and Kyiv, positioning itself as a mediator between the two nations. It has refrained from imposing Western sanctions on Russia while supplying US-made defense equipment to Ukraine. A free trade agreement between Turkey and Ukraine was ratified by the Ukrainian government in July. The issue of safety in the Black Sea is critical for Turkey, as its commercial vessels frequently transit the waterway. Earlier this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for an end to attacks in the Black Sea, stating, "They are attacking all commercial shipping without distinction."