Russian Tanker Struck Off Turkish Coast Amid Ukraine’s Targeting of ‘Shadow Fleet’
A Russian-flagged tanker, Midvolga-2, has reported being attacked off the Turkish coast in the Black Sea, according to the Turkish Directorate General of Maritime Affairs. The incident marks the third such attack on a Russian vessel within a week, with two previous strikes attributed to Ukrainian naval drones targeting vessels believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” shipping crude exports in violation of international sanctions.
The Midvolga-2 was reportedly carrying sunflower oil to Georgia at the time of the attack. The 13-member crew remained unharmed, and the vessel did not request assistance, instead proceeding towards Turkey’s Sinop port. Turkish authorities have conveyed necessary messages to relevant parties, including Ukrainian authorities, in response to the incident.
Ukraine Targets Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels
Ukraine has been targeting vessels believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” shipping crude exports in violation of international sanctions. The attacks have been carried out using naval drones and have resulted in damage to at least two vessels, the Kairos and the Virat, which were struck on Friday as they headed to a Russian port to load up with oil destined for foreign markets.
The “shadow fleet” refers to a network of ships used by Russia to circumvent international sanctions and transport crude exports. According to a recent report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a Helsinki-based think tank, a total of 113 such vessels sailed under a false flag in the first nine months of this year, transporting some 11 million tonnes of Russian crude valued at €4.7 billion ($5.4 billion).
Turkish Balancing Act
Turkey has maintained cordial relations with both Ukraine and Russia throughout the war, which was triggered when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. As a NATO member, Turkey has provided military support to Ukraine while also refusing to join Western sanctions against the Kremlin.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Monday that attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea signaled a “worrying escalation” of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Ankara has issued warnings to all relevant sides, emphasizing the importance of maintaining navigational safety, life, and the environment, especially within its own exclusive zone.
Consequences of Attacks
The attacks on Russian vessels have significant implications for global energy markets. Kyiv’s focus on disrupting Russia’s oil industry aims to starve Moscow of funds to sustain its war effort. The Ukrainian drone attack that caused a fire at an oil facility in the southern Russian region of Oryol, authorities said on Tuesday, is just one example of this strategy.
Russia’s foreign ministry has condemned the attacks as “acts of terrorism” that threaten freedom of navigation in the region. As tensions escalate, it remains to be seen how Turkey will balance its relationships with Ukraine and Russia while maintaining navigational safety in the Black Sea.
Original Article: Russian tanker struck off Turkiye as Ukraine targets ‘shadow fleet’ — Yahoo