Turkey has issued an official response following a Russian drone attack on a Turkish-owned merchant vessel near the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk.
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that two Turkish nationals serving as crew members aboard the Panama-flagged vessel were injured during the attack on June 22.
According to the ministry, the condition of the injured sailors is being monitored by the Turkish Embassy in Kyiv and the Consulate General in Odesa.
Turkey also expressed concern over attacks affecting maritime security in the Black Sea.
“We have conveyed to the authorities of both countries our concern regarding attacks that threaten our interests in the Black Sea and regional security amid the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war,” the ministry said, calling on all parties to take steps to reduce tensions in the region.
The statement followed a recent Russian attack on three vessels bound for Ukrainian ports. The crews were subsequently rescued by the Ukrainian Navy.
