Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 3, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Turkey warns that attacks on Russia-linked tankers in the Black Sea threaten regional safety and commerce, with Ukraine claiming some responsibility.
By Tuvan Gumrukcu
ANKARA, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday said the "very scary" attacks of recent days on Russia-linked tankers in the Black Sea threatened the safety of all in the region and showed the reach of the war in Ukraine was expanding.
The strikes within Turkey's exclusive economic zone violate navigational safety and are impacting commerce, he said, adding Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria, which also border the Black Sea, were looking at measures to boost security.
Fidan also discussed the attacks, some claimed by Ukraine, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, as well as with his counterparts from Bulgaria and Romania, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source.
The attacks have sent Black Sea shipping insurance rates higher and prompted one Turkish company, Besiktas Shipping, to halt Russia-related operations over security concerns.
Ukraine, which is targeting Russia's oil exports as Moscow bombards its power grid, took responsibility for an attack by seaborne drones on two empty tankers heading towards a Russian port last week.
UKRAINE DENIES LINK TO TANKER INCIDENT
Kyiv denied any link to another incident on Tuesday in which a Russian-flagged tanker loaded with sunflower oil said it had come under drone attack off the Turkish coast. Beyond the Black Sea, a Besiktas Shipping tanker that also did business with Russia was damaged near Senegal by external impacts. No one claimed responsibility.
Fidan and Rutte discussed Black Sea security and negotiations to end the nearly four-year war, the source said, giving no further details.
The person added that Fidan and his Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts stressed the importance of free trade flows in the Black Sea, securing critical infrastructure, and ensuring safe sea routes, while calling for adherence to international law.
Turkey has called the attacks on shipping unacceptable and warned "all parties" to halt them. A Turkish official said this specifically includes the Ukrainian authorities.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has responded by threatening to sever Ukraine's access to the sea, and said Moscow will intensify strikes on Ukrainian facilities and vessels and move against tankers of countries that help Ukraine.
(Reporting by Tuvan GumrukcuAdditional reporting by Jonathan SpicerEditing by Bernadette Baum, Alexandra Hudson)
Maritime security refers to the protection of ships, ports, and cargo from threats such as piracy, terrorism, and illegal trafficking. It ensures safe navigation and trade in international waters.
An exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a sea zone over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, extending 200 nautical miles from its coast.
Shipping insurance is a type of insurance that covers the loss or damage of goods while in transit. It protects against risks such as theft, damage, or loss during shipping.
The Black Sea is a strategically important body of water that connects Europe and Asia, facilitating trade and military movement. It is bordered by several countries, influencing regional security.
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