A Russian-flagged tanker carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Georgia reported an attack off the Turkish coast, Turkey’s maritime authority confirmed on Tuesday. Despite the alarming incident, all 13 crew members aboard the vessel MIDVOLGA-2 were unharmed.
According to the Maritime Affairs Directorate, the tanker came under attack approximately 80 miles (130 km) off Turkey’s coast. The ship did not request assistance and continued its route toward the port of Sinop. While official details remain limited, Turkish broadcaster NTV reported that the strike involved a kamikaze drone.
When asked for further clarification, a Turkish official stated that “the necessary messages were conveyed to the relevant parties, including Ukrainian authorities,” without providing additional comment.
This latest incident comes just days after Ukrainian naval drones targeted two tankers sanctioned by Ukraine and several Western allies as they travelled through the Black Sea toward a Russian port. The strikes are part of Kyiv’s ongoing efforts to pressure Russia’s oil sector.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemned all attacks on commercial ships in the region, stressing that such actions were “unacceptable” and issuing a warning directed at “all related sides.”
Turkey has maintained a delicate balance throughout the conflict, cultivating communication with both Kyiv and Moscow. While it has supplied Ukraine with military support, Ankara has avoided participating in Western-led sanctions against Russia. The country has previously hosted multiple rounds of peace talks in Istanbul and continues to push for direct dialogue between the two nations’ leaders.
As tensions escalate, Turkey has reiterated its demand for secure navigation in the Black Sea, a region where it shares maritime borders with both Russia and Ukraine. With each new incident, the call for stability grows louder, reminding the world how fragile the situation truly is.
Because behind every headline is a reminder: real people, real cargo, and real families wait for these ships to come home safely. The urgency for peace and secure seas has never been more human, more immediate, or more necessary.
