Turkish Coast Attacked: Russian Tanker Reportedly Struck Off Turkiye’s Shore
The reported attack on the Midvolga-2 comes days after Ukraine hit two other Russian-flagged ships in the Black Sea.
The Turkish Directorate General of Maritime Affairs said on Tuesday that the Midvolga-2 had reported coming under attack about 130km (80 miles) from land. The tanker was reportedly carrying sunflower oil to Georgia, and the 13 members of the crew were unharmed. According to the directorate, the vessel had not requested assistance and it was proceeding towards Turkiye’s Sinop port.
Ukraine Targets ‘Shadow Fleet’
The attack follows strikes by Ukrainian naval drones on two Russian-flagged vessels that Kyiv said were part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” shipping crude exports in violation of international sanctions. The 13 members of the Midvolga-2 crew were unharmed, and the vessel had not requested assistance.
Turkish Balancing Act
Turkiye has maintained cordial relations with both Kyiv and Moscow throughout the war, which was triggered when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. It has sought to assume a role as a mediator, hosting three rounds of peace talks. As part of NATO, Ankara has provided military support to Ukraine. However, it has refused to join Western sanctions against the Kremlin and insisted that navigational security be maintained in the Black Sea.
Crude Target
Kyiv, which for years has sustained heavy attacks targeting its energy infrastructure, has focused in recent months on disrupting Russia’s oil industry in a bid to starve Moscow of funds to sustain its war. It has concentrated fire on Russian refineries and crude terminals.
Original Article: Russian tanker struck off Turkiye as Ukraine targets ‘shadow fleet’ — Aljazeera