Türkiye summons Ukrainian envoy over Black Sea vessel attacks

Diplomatic protest

Türkiye's Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine's ambassador to Ankara on Saturday to deliver a formal protest after two Turkish-operated cargo vessels were targeted in separate attacks off Russia's Black Sea coast, diplomatic sources said.

The vessel Lider Bordo Mavi was struck on August 26 while sailing near the Russian port city of Tuapse, prompting authorities to dispatch the Lider Kocatepe the following day to assist with towing operations. The second vessel was also targeted while attempting to aid the damaged ship, according to the sources.

Safety concerns raised

During the summons, Turkish officials conveyed a strong reaction to the attacks and stressed the imperative of safeguarding life, property and environmental security in the Black Sea region. The ministry issued formal warnings regarding the protection of navigation routes and the safety of civilian maritime traffic, the sources added.

The attacks occurred amid heightened military activity in the Black Sea, where civilian shipping lanes have faced repeated risks since the broader regional conflict began in February 2022. Both vessels sustained damage in the consecutive strikes near Tuapse, a key Russian port city on the northeastern Black Sea coast.