Türkiye's Erdoğan says attacks on Black Sea commercial ships unacceptable

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, warning that such actions are unacceptable and could lead to further escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“The war between Russia and Ukraine has clearly begun to threaten navigational safety in the Black Sea,” Erdoğan told reporters on Monday. “The targeting of vessels in our Exclusive Economic Zone on Friday signals a worrying escalation.”

Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye could not justify these attacks and reiterated that the Turkish government had conveyed the necessary warnings to all relevant parties involved. “We cannot justify these attacks in any way. We are conveying the necessary warnings to all relevant sides regarding such incidents,” he added.

The incident occurred late on Friday, when the Virat, a tanker linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” was struck by an unmanned vessel approximately 35 miles off Türkiye's Black Sea coast. The Virat was reportedly on its way to a Russian port to load oil, part of Russia’s extensive fleet of tankers operating in defiance of international sanctions.

On Saturday, a Ukrainian official confirmed that Ukrainian naval drones were responsible for striking two sanctioned tankers in the Black Sea, including the Virat. The attack was seen as part of Kyiv’s broader strategy to exert pressure on Russia’s oil industry, which remains a key economic lifeline for Moscow.

Ukraine has ramped up efforts to disrupt Russian shipping in the Black Sea, targeting vessels engaged in transporting oil to foreign markets. This includes attacks on tankers linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, which operates largely beyond the reach of international sanctions. The latest attack further strains the already tense situation in the Black Sea, where both Russian and Ukrainian forces have clashed over access to vital shipping routes.

Erdoğan’s comments reflect Türkiye’s growing concern over the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, a crucial passage for energy supplies and trade. While Türkiye has maintained a delicate balancing act in its relations with both Russia and Ukraine, it has repeatedly stressed the importance of preserving peace and stability in the region, particularly as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

The international community remains concerned that any disruption to shipping in the Black Sea could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets and regional security. With both sides continuing to target critical infrastructure, the conflict shows no signs of abating.

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Black Sea