Turkey Summons Ukraine Envoy Over Black Sea Ship Attacks

ANKARA: (News Desk) – Turkey has summoned Ukraine’s ambassador following attacks on two Turkish-linked vessels in the Black Sea earlier this week, raising fresh concerns over the safety of civilian shipping in the strategically important waterway.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the incidents took place on Wednesday and Thursday. During the meeting with the Ukrainian envoy, Ankara stressed the urgent need to protect people, property, maritime navigation and the Black Sea environment.

According to the ministry, the Turkish-flagged container vessel Lider Bordo Mavi came under attack on Wednesday while sailing off Russia’s Black Sea coast. A day later, the Lider Kocatepe, which had been dispatched to assist and tow the damaged vessel, was also targeted.

The ministry did not provide details about possible casualties or the extent of the damage caused by the attacks.

Turkish media reported that the Lider Bordo Mavi was eventually towed to the Turkish port of Samsun.

Ankara has repeatedly urged both Ukraine and Russia to halt attacks on civilian and commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea. The maritime route remains crucial to regional trade, while both sides have sought to disrupt economic and export-related activities during the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Several Turkish-linked commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea have previously been affected by drone attacks, some of which Ankara has said were suspected to have originated from Ukraine.

Turkey, a NATO member that maintains diplomatic and economic ties with both Kyiv and Moscow, has not joined Western sanctions against Russia.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for a temporary moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea on August 8, warning that the conflict was increasingly affecting commercial shipping across the region.