Russian-flagged tanker hit by drone off Turkish coast amid Black Sea tensions, crew unharmed

A Russian-flagged tanker carrying sunflower oil reported coming under drone attack off the Turkish coast on Tuesday, though all 13 crew members escaped unharmed, according to a Reuters report, citing Turkey’s maritime authority and the Tribeca shipping agency.

The incident comes amid rising tensions in the Black Sea after Ukrainian naval drones struck two tankers last week that were sanctioned by Kyiv and several Western allies. Those vessels were en route to a Russian port to load oil for export — part of Ukraine’s effort to pressure Moscow’s energy sector.

Ukraine, however, denied any role in Tuesday’s attack.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi told Reuters it made “no sense” to target a ship bound for Georgia and suggested the incident could have been orchestrated by Moscow.

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“Russia may have staged the whole thing,” he was quoted as saying.

The attack follows renewed threats from President Vladimir Putin, who vowed to cut off Ukraine’s access to the sea in response to recent strikes on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”

He warned that Moscow would escalate attacks on Ukrainian facilities and vessels, and could take action against tankers belonging to countries assisting Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Besiktas Shipping — owner of a tanker damaged by explosions near Senegal last week — said it has suspended all Russia-related operations, citing mounting security dangers in waters around Russian-linked shipping.

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Attacks on Black Sea shipping

The vessel targeted on Tuesday, the MIDVOLGA-2, reported coming under attack about 80 miles (130 km) off the Turkish coast but did not request help and continued on course toward the port of Sinop, Turkey’s Maritime Affairs Directorate said on X.

The Tribeca shipping agency said the tanker had been struck by a drone, though it remained unclear who was responsible for the attack.

Turkey’s maritime authority stated that the ship was travelling from Russia to Georgia, while Tribeca said it was bound for Mersin. Both confirmed the vessel was now heading to Sinop without assistance.

“The necessary messages were conveyed to the relevant parties, including Ukrainian authorities,” a Turkish official said when asked for comment.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea were unacceptable, issuing a warning to “all related sides”.

Besiktas Shipping’s tanker was hit while anchored near Dakar a day after the Ukrainian naval drone attacks. It was not clear what had caused the explosions.

Nato member Turkey has maintained cordial ties with Kyiv and Moscow, providing military support to Ukraine while refusing to join Western sanctions on Moscow.

It has previously hosted three rounds of peace talks between the warring sides.

Ankara has demanded navigational safety in the Black Sea, where it shares maritime borders with Russia and Ukraine.

With inputs from agencies