Turkish Captain Yalçın Şahin Reports Drone Attack on Ro-Ro Cargo Ship in the Black Sea
Captain Yalçın Şahin reported that a Turkish-owned Ro-Ro cargo ship was struck by a drone attack in the Black Sea while traveling from Samsun to Novorossiysk, Russia. The attack, which involved approximately 6 to 7 drones, caused a fire on the vessel and resulted in injuries to four crew members, three of whom are Turkish citizens. While the Russian navy was unable to provide immediate assistance due to the high density of drones in the region, the entire 22-member crew was successfully evacuated. Three of the injured crew members are currently in serious condition. This incident highlights the ongoing maritime risks in the Black Sea as Russia continues its assault on commercial shipping and Ukrainian ports. Turkey and Azerbaijan have expressed concerns over seafarer safety, with officials demanding better information regarding maritime routes and risks. The attack on the Yalçın Şahin-led vessel serves as a primary example of the increasing difficulty for commercial ships to navigate the region safely during the conflict.