Turkey warned that recent drone strikes on two Turkish-linked cargo ships could escalate tensions in the Black Sea and threaten food security. Several sailors were injured when the Cameroon-flagged, Turkish-operated Nadezhda was struck about 37 kilometres off Novorossiysk en route to Samsun; the vessel Yasar was also reported attacked. Ankara urged Russia and Ukraine to take immediate measures to protect navigation, while NATO allies Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey expanded missions to safeguard shipping and clear drifting mines.
Turkey Warns Black Sea Escalation Could Threaten Food Security After Drone Strikes on Cargo Ships
FILE PHOTO - A cargo ship sails along the temporary corridor between Ukrainian Black Sea ports as despite an attack on the port infrastructure by Russian forces, shipping traffic continues. (is associated with: «Turkey warns Black Sea cargo ship escalation threatens food security») -/Ukrinform/dpa
Turkey warned on Tuesday that rising tensions in the Black Sea could have wide-ranging consequences, including threats to food security, after drone strikes struck two cargo vessels linked to Turkey.
Incident Details
Late on Monday, several sailors were injured when the Cameroon-flagged, Turkish-operated cargo ship Nadezhda was hit by a drone roughly 37 kilometres off the Russian port of Novorossiysk while en route to the Turkish port of Samsun, Turkey's General Directorate of Maritime Affairs reported. The Foreign Ministry also said another Turkish-linked vessel, Yasar, was attacked the same evening but provided no further details.
Casualties and Damage
Authorities reported multiple crew members sustained injuries; full details on the extent of damage to the vessels and the condition of all crew were not immediately available.
Diplomatic and Security Response
In an official statement, Turkey's Foreign Ministry warned that "unless preventive measures are taken, the escalation in the Black Sea will have multifaceted negative repercussions, including for food security." Ankara urged both Russia and Ukraine to "urgently implement concrete measures" to ensure navigation safety, saying it is "deeply concerned" about the conflict spreading farther into the Black Sea.
Regional Impact
The attacks come amid increased strikes by Russian and Ukrainian forces in the Black Sea, raising security concerns along one of the region's busiest maritime routes. In response, NATO allies Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have expanded a joint mission to safeguard commercial shipping and clear drifting mines, aiming to reduce risks to international trade and maritime safety.
Why it matters: Disruptions in the Black Sea could interrupt grain and commodity shipments that many countries rely on, amplifying global food-security risks if maritime routes remain unsafe.
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