Turkey Calls for Safe Navigation in Black Sea After Drones Strike Commercial Ships

Aug. 4, 2026 The Turkish-owned ship Nadezhda after it drones struck it on Aug. 3, 2026. IHA / iha.com Turkey on Tuesday called on Russia and Ukraine to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea after two Turkish-owned cargo vessels were struck near the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the civilian ships Yasar and Nadezhda were attacked after departing Novorossiysk on Monday evening, injuring several crew members, including Turkish citizens. Ankara expressed concern that Russia’s war against Ukraine is spreading further across the Black Sea, warning of “multifaceted negative repercussions, including for food security.” “We therefore reiterate our call to all relevant actors, particularly the warring parties, to urgently implement concrete measures to ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea,” the ministry said in a statement. The Nadezhda was sailing for the Turkish port of Samsun when it came under attack about 20 nautical miles off Novorossiysk, according to the Turkish Maritime Authority. All 22 crew members were brought to safety in Russia, including three who were seriously injured, while a fire continued to burn in the ship’s bow. According to vessel-tracking site MarineTraffic, the Yasar and Nadezhda fly the flags of Panama and Cameroon, respectively, but are owned by Turkish companies. Ukrainian officials, who frequently claim responsibility for strikes on Russian warships and “shadow fleet” oil tankers, have not commented on the attacks. The strikes follow weeks of escalating exchanges between Russia and Ukraine targeting each other’s commercial vessels and port infrastructure, driving up global wheat prices. Monday’s strikes against the Yasar and Nadezhda come after a Turkish fishing vessel was hit off the Crimean coast in late June, leaving one dead and four injured. A Turkish cargo ship was also attacked in May. Turkish officials have warned of an “uncontrolled escalation” in the Black Sea amid the strikes. Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of jeopardizing grain exports in the region amid the harvesting season. Reuters and AFP contributed reporting. Read more about: Turkey , Black Sea , Drones Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Kremlin Slams ‘Irresponsible’ Ukrainian Drone Attacks on TurkStream and Blue Stream Compressor Stations Gazprom said the Russian military intercepted 26 Ukrainian drones targeting its energy sites in the Krasnodar region this week. 2 Min read Sanctioned Oil Tankers Hit by Blasts, Fire En Route to Russia, Turkey Says Authorities suggested the two tankers may have been hit by devices while heading toward the Russian port of Novorossiysk. 2 Min read Erdogan to Visit Russia for Talks with Putin – Ankara The Turkish president seeks to revive a deal to ship Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea and to use it as a springboard for broader peace talks. 1 Min read Ukraine Grain Deal ‘De Facto’ Over – Kremlin Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists that Russia's part of the agreements had "not been implemented so far, so it’s terminated." 2 Min read