Turkey’s Foreign Ministry called in Ukraine’s ambassador on Saturday following incidents involving two Turkish-operated ships struck in the Black Sea. The container vessel Lider Bordo Mavi was hit on Wednesday near the Russian coast, and the Lider Kocatepe sustained damage the following day while attempting to provide assistance. Turkish officials used the diplomatic meeting to emphasize the importance of protecting personnel, cargo, navigation capabilities, and the environment throughout the waterway.
The attacks represent part of a broader pattern of maritime incidents in the Black Sea, where Ukraine and Russia have engaged in strikes targeting each other’s commercial shipping and export infrastructure. The region has experienced elevated risks since Russia’s military campaign began in 2022, though the frequency and scope of attacks have increased significantly in recent months. Turkish media reports indicate that the damaged Lider Bordo Mavi was towed to the port of Samsun for repairs.
Turkey has expressed mounting frustration over the threat to commercial vessels in the strategic waterway. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated earlier in the month that attacks were occurring indiscriminately against all merchant shipping. Several Turkish commercial vessels have been damaged in drone strikes attributed to Ukrainian forces, including an incident that resulted in serious injuries to three crew members aboard the Nadezhda cargo ship near a Russian port.
Turkey maintains diplomatic and economic ties with both belligerents, having pursued a balancing act between Moscow and Kyiv. The country has avoided implementing Western sanctions on Russia while simultaneously providing defense equipment to Ukraine and ratifying a free trade agreement with the Ukrainian government in July. The safety of Turkish commercial vessels transiting the Black Sea remains a significant national interest, making the recurring attacks a matter of diplomatic priority for Ankara.
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