Attack on Russian ship in the Black Sea: Türkiye reveals details
Turkish authorities announced on Tuesday that a cargo ship was attacked while sailing in the Black Sea, in a new incident that further escalates maritime tensions in the region. The Turkish General Directorate of Maritime Affairs confirmed that the Russian-flagged vessel, the MildVolga 2, reported being targeted while sailing 80 nautical miles off the Turkish coast.
According to the official statement, the ship was en route from Russian ports to Georgia, carrying a cargo of sunflower oil, when it was forced to change course towards the Turkish port of Sinop following the incident. Authorities stated that all 13 crew members were unharmed and that the ship did not request emergency assistance, indicating that the damage did not affect its seaworthiness.
Context of escalation and targeting of the "ghost fleet"
This incident is not isolated, but rather part of a series of intensified naval attacks in the region recently. It follows two separate attacks last Friday and Saturday in Turkey's exclusive economic zone, which Ukraine has officially claimed responsibility for. These attacks targeted what is known as the "ghost fleet"—ships used by Russia to export oil and fuel and circumvent Western sanctions—indicating a strategic shift in naval warfare, moving it toward commercial supply lines.
Turkish position and regional concerns
This escalation has sparked widespread concern among the Turkish leadership, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan describing the situation as a "worrying escalation." Erdoğan noted that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine now poses a direct threat to the safety of international navigation in the Black Sea. Turkey plays a pivotal role in this matter by virtue of its control over the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits under the Montreux Convention, placing it in a delicate position that requires balancing its national security with its international obligations to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels.
The strategic and economic importance of the Black Sea
The Black Sea holds immense geopolitical and economic importance, serving as a vital artery for trade in grain, vegetable oils, and energy between East and West. Since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war, its waters have become a battleground, directly impacting global supply chains. The sunflower oil shipments carried by the targeted vessel are among the most vital commodities, with Russia and Ukraine controlling the lion's share of global production.
Observers believe that continued targeting of commercial vessels could lead to higher marine insurance costs and discourage shipping companies from using this waterway, potentially triggering a new wave of price hikes for food and energy globally. This incident underscores the fragility of the security situation in international waterways and the need for the international community to establish mechanisms to ensure the safety of commercial crews away from areas of military conflict.
