Ankara summoned Ukraine's ambassador following drone strikes on two Turkish-operated commercial vessels near the Russian port of Tuapse.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Naryman Dzhelialov on Saturday to address concerns regarding the safety of civilian shipping. The diplomatic action followed separate drone attacks on two Turkish-operated commercial vessels, the Lider Bordo Mavi and the Lider Kocatepe, while they were operating in the Black Sea near the Russian port of Tuapse.

Details of the Attacks

The Lider Bordo Mavi, a Cameroon-flagged vessel operated by a Turkish company, was struck by three drones on August 26 while sailing toward Tuapse. The attack caused a fire on board and resulted in injuries to five crew members. The ship had departed from the Turkish port of Samsun on August 25. A second vessel, the Lider Kocatepe, was targeted by a drone the following day while traveling to assist the damaged ship. It sustained material damage before returning to Samsun. There has been no public claim of responsibility for the strikes, though Russia has attributed similar recent incidents to Ukrainian forces.

Ankara’s Diplomatic Stance

During the meeting with the ambassador, Turkish officials emphasized the necessity of protecting human life, property, and maritime navigation. Türkiye has consistently advocated for a mutual halt to attacks on civilian ships, commercial ports, and energy facilities to prevent further disruption to regional trade. As a Black Sea coastal state, Türkiye maintains diplomatic channels with both Kyiv and Moscow. The government is currently under increased pressure to safeguard its commercial interests and citizens as the ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022, continues to pose risks to civilian maritime traffic.