Ukrainian drones attacked two Turkish merchant ships that had departed from Novorossiysk in the Black Sea, wounding three Turkish crew members, according to Abu Ali Express. The crew were rescued by Russian forces. Turkey expressed concern over the incident.
The strike on two Turkish merchant ships yesterday marks the second incident in as many days involving Ukrainian drone attacks on vessels with Turkish crew in the Black Sea. Earlier Tuesday, The Zioneer reported that Ukrainian maritime drones struck the Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel Nadezhda, wounding four sailors including three Turkish nationals.
The latest attack targeted ships that had departed from the Russian port of Novorossiysk. Three Turkish crew members were wounded and later rescued by Russian forces, according to Abu Ali Express. Turkey issued a statement expressing concern.
The incidents come amid an intensifying Ukrainian maritime campaign against Russian and allied shipping in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. Over the past weeks, Ukraine has claimed to have struck dozens of Russian cargo vessels and tankers, including elements of Russia's shadow fleet. The attacks on Turkish-operated ships, however, add a diplomatic dimension, as Turkey is a NATO member with maritime interests in the region.
It remains unclear whether the ships were directly targeted for their affiliation or were struck as part of broader strikes on vessels operating from Russian ports. No independent verification of the attack has been reported.
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