Russia strikes Turkish cargo ship Viva in the Black Sea, escalating maritime tensions amid ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Navy announced that Russia deliberately targeted a civilian Turkish merchant vessel with a drone in the Black Sea. The attacked vessel, named Viva, was transporting sunflower oil to Egypt.
The Navy's statement via Telegram noted that there were 11 Turkish citizens on board, and fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries from the attack. The vessel continued its course after the incident. The Ukrainian side emphasized that the attack occurred outside the range of air defense systems in Ukraine's exclusive economic zone, accusing Russia of violating international maritime law. The Navy is reportedly in contact with the ship's captain.
Viva is classified as a chemical and vegetable oil tanker, measuring approximately 136 meters in length and 23 meters in width, with a deadweight capacity of around 16,000 tons. These technical details undermine claims that the attack was carried out accidentally or that the vessel was mistaken for a military target. Given its size and profile, Viva is easily distinguishable as a civilian commercial vessel even from a distance.
This incident is not the first case of Russia targeting Turkish-linked vessels. Previously, during attacks on Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, a tanker named Cenk-T, owned by a Turkish company, was hit, resulting in a fire on board, although there were no casualties.
On Friday, the Ukrainian Navy announced that three more Turkish-owned vessels were damaged in Russian attacks on two Ukrainian ports, one of which suffered a large-scale fire.
The timing of these attacks is noteworthy, as they follow Ukraine's targeting of tankers transporting oil to Russia, referred to as a 'shadow fleet.' In response, Moscow threatened to 'completely isolate Ukraine from the sea.'
Expert strategists indicate that civilian commercial vessels have effectively become part of the conflict zone in the Black Sea. Considering the size, cargo, and navigation profile of Viva, the explanation of such attacks as 'accidents' or 'military errors' loses its legal and practical credibility. This situation poses a structural risk not only limited to the Ukraine-Russia war but also regarding freedom of navigation and trade security in the Black Sea.
Source: www.denizhaber.com
