On June 22, a Turkish-owned cargo vessel flying the Panamanian flag was struck by drones close to the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk. The incident resulted in injuries to two Turkish crew members.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the attack and expressed concerns regarding the implications for regional security and maritime safety in the Black Sea. The Turkish embassy in Kyiv and the consulate in Odesa are monitoring the situation involving the injured citizens.
In their statement, officials emphasized the importance of ensuring safe navigation for civilian vessels in the Black Sea and called on all parties to take measures to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Earlier on the same day, Ukrainian authorities reported that three civilian ships were targeted by Russian strikes in the Black Sea. One crew member, an Egyptian national, was killed aboard the Turkish cargo ship, while the remaining crew members, who are citizens of Turkey and India, were rescued by the Ukrainian navy. The crews of the other two vessels were unharmed.
A Turkish cargo ship was attacked by drones near Chornomorsk, injuring two crew members. The Turkish government is monitoring the situation and emphasizing the need for maritime safety in the Black Sea amid rising tensions.