A Turkish-flagged vessel was struck by a drone in the Black Sea, raising alarms over maritime security amid ongoing regional tensions.
A Turkish-flagged commercial vessel carrying cargo from Ukraine to Turkey was reportedly attacked by a kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while navigating in international waters in the Black Sea.
The incident occurred on the night of December 22-23 and has raised significant concerns about the increasing security risks to commercial maritime traffic in the region.
Reports indicate that the attack targeted the ship's living quarters and bridge. Following the UAV strike, thick smoke billowed from the bridge, alarm systems were activated, and the crew experienced a brief moment of panic. A crew member captured the chaos on a mobile phone camera, where another crew member can be heard saying, "I’m opening the window… We’ve been hit badly! It fell into the living quarters."
Fortunately, the fire caused by the attack was quickly brought under control due to the rapid and coordinated response of the ship's crew. Preliminary assessments indicated that there were no casualties or injuries. After conducting necessary safety checks in the damaged areas, the vessel continued its voyage.
The Ukrainian Navy and various Ukrainian sources claim that Russia was behind the attack, although no official statement has been made by Moscow. This incident exemplifies the heightened risks that civilian commercial vessels face in the Black Sea amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
With this latest attack, the number of Turkish-flagged or Turkish-owned commercial vessels targeted in the Black Sea has risen to four. Previous incidents have also seen Turkish-owned ships facing missile and UAV threats during heightened tensions, some resulting in damage to the vessels and distress among the crew. These attacks underscore the persistent security risks for vessels departing from Ukrainian ports or transporting cargo in the region.
Experts emphasize that if military tensions in the Black Sea continue, additional security measures and more effective international maritime mechanisms should be implemented to safeguard commercial maritime transportation.
Source: www.denizhaber.com
