04.08.2026 18:51
Tension rose in the Black Sea after a drone attack on a Turkish-owned Ro-Ro ship carrying fresh fruit and vegetables from Turkey to Russia. While the attack was claimed to have been carried out by Ukraine, fearful moments were also experienced on another Turkish vessel in the region. A Turkish Ro-Pax ship at Russia's Tuapse port was harassed by Ukrainian drones. The moments when the ship's crew fled from the drones were captured on camera.
A Ro-Ro vessel named "NADHEZNA", belonging to a Turkish company transporting fresh fruits and vegetables from Türkiye to Russia, became the target of drones off the coast of Novorossiysk Port in the Black Sea yesterday. A fire broke out on the vessel as a result of the attack, and the crew of 22, including 13 Turks, were evacuated by Russian rescue teams. It was announced that 4 crew members were injured, 3 of them seriously.
DRONE PANIC ON TURKISH SHIP
Following the attack, drone activity was also reported in the region of Russia's Tuapse Port. Due to the threat posed by drones, allegedly belonging to Ukraine, to civilian vessels, the security alert was raised to the highest level on commercial shipping routes in the Black Sea. Diplomatic and maritime security investigations in the region are ongoing.
DRONE ATTACK HAD BEEN LAUNCHED
A drone attack had been carried out against a Turkish vessel in the Black Sea the previous day. A fire had broken out following the drone attack on the Ro-Ro vessel named NADHEZNA, belonging to Türkiye, which was transporting fresh fruits and vegetables from Türkiye to Russia. In a statement made by the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, it was stated that the Ro-Ro vessel named NADEZHDA, which was en route from Novorossiysk Port to Samsun, was subjected to a drone attack, and the following statements were included: "On 3 August 2026, it was received that the Ro-Ro vessel named NADEZHDA, which was en route from Novorossiysk Port to Samsun, was subjected to a drone attack approximately 20 nautical miles off Novorossiysk.
There are a total of 22 crew members on board, 13 of whom are Turkish citizens. According to initial assessments, damage has occurred in the accommodation area and bow of the vessel, and the fire on board is ongoing. As a result of the communication with MRCC Novo, it was learned that the seafarers on board were safely evacuated to Novorossiysk Port by naval elements belonging to the Russian Federation. According to initial information, it was reported that the health condition of 3 personnel may be serious. The fire on the vessel is ongoing, and due to the continuing risk of drone attacks in the region, a rescue operation cannot be carried out. Developments regarding the issue are being followed closely, and we extend our best wishes to all our seafarers and hope they reunite with their families in good health as soon as possible."
STRONG REACTION FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a written statement regarding the unmanned aerial vehicle attacks against Turkish-owned civilian vessels named Yaşar and Nadezhda in the Black Sea.
In the statement made by the Ministry, it was stated: "It has been learned that the Turkish-owned civilian vessels named Yaşar and Nadezhda were attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles after departing from Novorossiysk Port last night (3 August), and a group of personnel, including our citizens, were injured."
The statement added, "The safety of life of our citizens is our top priority, and their situation is being closely monitored."
"WE ARE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ESCALATION IN THE BLACK SEA"
In the statement, which emphasized the concern over the increasing spread of the war between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, the following expressions were included: "Despite all our warnings, we are seriously concerned about the increasing spread of the war between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, in a way that also affects civilian vessels. Unless preventive measures are taken, the escalation in the Black Sea will have multidimensional negative repercussions, including food security. In this regard, we reiterate our call to all relevant actors, especially the warring parties, for the urgent implementation of concrete measures to ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea."