Turkey urges Russia and Ukraine to protect Black Sea trade

Turkey has called on Russia and Ukraine to urgently ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea after drone attacks struck two Turkish-owned cargo vessels near the Russian port of Novorossiysk, injuring multiple crew members. The attacks on Monday, August 3, 2026, targeted the vessels Nadezhda and Yasar shortly after they departed the port, marking a significant escalation that threatens vital global supply routes.

According to Turkish authorities, the Cameroon-flagged Nadezhda was sailing toward the Turkish port of Samsun when it was hit approximately 20 nautical miles from Novorossiysk. The vessel, carrying 22 crew members including 13 Turkish citizens, sustained damage that ignited a fire in its bow. All crew were evacuated to Russia, with three reported to have suffered serious injuries. A second vessel, the Panama-flagged containership Yasar, was also attacked, though fewer details about that incident were immediately available.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern that the war between Russia and Ukraine is spreading further into the Black Sea and affecting civilian vessels despite repeated warnings. The ministry warned of...