Russian-flagged tanker ‘attacked off Turkish coast’ | EUROtoday

A Russian-flagged tanker carrying sunflower oil has reportedly been attacked off the Turkish coast, although its 13 crew members are unhurt, Turkey’s maritime authority confirmed on Tuesday.

The vessel, MIDVOLGA-2, reported the incident 80 miles (130 km) from the Turkish shoreline.

It didn’t request help, continuing as a substitute in direction of Turkey’s Sinop port, the Maritime Affairs Directorate said on X. Broadcaster NTV prompt the assault concerned a kamikaze drone.

A Turkish official, requested in regards to the incident, mentioned “the necessary messages were conveyed to the relevant parties, including Ukrainian authorities”, without elaborating any further.

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This follows an incident last Friday that saw Ukrainian naval drones hit two tankers sanctioned by Ukraine and some of its Western allies in the Black Sea as they headed to a Russian port to load up with oil destined for foreign markets, as Kyiv tried to pile pressure on Russia’s vast oil industry.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared on Monday that attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea were unacceptable, as he sent a warning out to “all associated sides”.

Erdogan’s feedback got here shortly after he met with Pope Leo XIV as they mentioned the continued conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Pope Leo insisted Turkey has an “important role” to play in each conflicts and expressed hope that there can be additional dialogue in a bid to attain a ceasefire.

Pope Leo subsequently travelled from Turkey to Lebanon for extra discussions, along with his go to of the Middle East nation set to conclude on Tuesday.

Turkey, a NATO member, has maintained ties with each Kyiv and Moscow throughout the ongoing conflict, offering army support to Ukraine however not becoming a member of Western sanctions on Russia.

Ankara has constantly supplied to host peace talks, because it shares maritime borders with Russia and Ukraine, and harassed the significance of Black Sea navigational security.