Turkey denounces Ukrainian drone strikes on Black Sea tankers
Turkish authorities said the Gambian-flagged vessels Kairos and Virat were hit on Friday while heading to the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The attacks caused fires, with at least one ship suffering hull damage, though the Turkish Coast Guard successfully rescued all crew members.
Multiple reports indicate that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Ukrainian Navy may have carried out the strikes using Sea Baby drones, previously deployed against Russian warships.
“These incidents, which took place within our Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea, have posed serious risks to navigation, human life, property, and the environment,” said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli.
He added that Türkiye is coordinating with all parties to “prevent the spread of war and further escalation in the Black Sea.”
The tankers involved had been blacklisted by Western nations for allegedly transporting Russian oil in violation of sanctions, though Moscow denies operating a ‘shadow fleet’ to bypass restrictions.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), responsible for around 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports, suspended operations after its Novorossiysk mooring was heavily damaged by sea drones. The consortium, whose shareholders include US companies Chevron and Exxon Mobil, described the strikes as a “targeted terrorist attack.”
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