Turkey warns Ukraine and Russia against further attacks on ships in the Black Sea

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler warned Ukraine and Russia on October 28 against further attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, stressing the need to ensure the safety of civilian shipping. According to Reuters, Ankara is awaiting responses from both sides to its proposal aimed at ending attacks and ensuring the safe transportation of grain from the Black Sea region.

Guler made the statement in Sofia following a security meeting involving defense ministers and military officials from Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria. He said civilian vessels operating in the Black Sea had repeatedly been targeted by drones and missiles during the war, while drifting mines posed an additional threat to maritime navigation.

The minister reported that another commercial vessel had been attacked by three drones on October 28 within Bulgaria’s maritime jurisdiction. The vessel was a Greek-owned container ship sailing under the Liberian flag. The incident highlighted growing risks to international shipping near the coastlines of Black Sea countries.

Guler emphasized that Turkey reserves the right to take legal action in response to attacks on Turkish-flagged or Turkish-owned vessels. He said Ankara regularly warns Ukraine and Russia against allowing commercial shipping to become involved in military operations and calls for an immediate end to attacks on civilian ships.

During the meeting, representatives of Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria also discussed the protection of maritime routes and critical underwater infrastructure. The three countries, which already cooperate on mine-clearing operations in the Black Sea, agreed on the importance of strengthening maritime security measures. Ensuring safe navigation remains a key priority for regional trade, particularly grain exports.

Tags: Black Sea region, war, Black Sea grain corridor, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey