The Turkish maritime authority reports a tanker carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Georgia was attacked in the Black Sea.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A tanker carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Georgia was attacked in the Black Sea, the Turkish maritime authority said Tuesday, days after two Russian “shadow fleet” oil tankers were attacked by Ukrainian naval drones.

The Turkish Directorate General of Maritime Affairs said the MIDVOLGA-2 came under attack about 130 kilometers (80 miles) off the Turkish coast. The 13 crew members were unharmed and the vessel has not requested assistance.

It was heading toward the Turkish port of Sinop, the maritime authority said in a statement on X.

On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke out against Ukraine’s drone attack on two Russian vessels, the Kairos and Virat, saying it signaled a “worrying escalation” of the conflict.

  • perestroika@slrpnk.netEnglish
    2·
    8 hours ago

    There’s a small legal step that Ukraine needs to do.

    It needs to declare a blockade and declare which goods are blockaded, e.g. “all liquids transportable by ship”.

    Then, shipping companies will know in advance: “you cannot transport liquids to or from Russia, if your ship looks like a tanker, don’t go” and dangerous drone strikes aren’t needed.

    It’s fortunate that no sailors have been lost so far. But without a policy announcement, the discouraging effect is maybe too small and additional ships may try to run the blockade, which could lead to loss of life and environmental harm - which would be bad.