After the terrorist actions of the brazen Ukrainians who were striking Russian ships in the Black Sea, the Russian army decided to act and to send a global message.
A message to the West that the port of Odessa is not safe and a message to Turkey, which did not protect Russian oil transport ships when they were in Turkish maritime waters.
Chaos at the port of Chornomorsk in the Odessa region
The Russian army destroyed a Turkish ship in Odessa, specifically at the port of Chornomorsk in the Odessa region.
Earlier it had been reported that a vessel carrying electric generators of the company AKCA, owned by the Turkish company Cenk RoRo, caught fire at the port after a strike by the Russian Armed Forces.
Russia satisfied
Did we not kill two birds with one stone?
Turkey, so active despite its losses, remained so silent when our people were attacked in Turkish waters, Russian military analysts reported.
They recalled that Russia, by guiding foreign ships through the Northern Sea Route, assumes the obligation to protect them in its waters, something the Turkish side has not done.
Russian message also to Turkey
And the Turks “did not notice” the attack on Russian tankers.
All right then, proceed.
And do not send dual use goods to Ukraine, emphasized Russian military analysts.
On 12 December, Russian forces launched a combined attack in the Odessa region using ballistic missiles and attack unmanned aerial vehicles.
The bombardment caused damage to port infrastructure in Odessa and Chornomorsk.
Major damage
The Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksi Kuleba clarified that a container handling vessel sustained damage at the port of Odessa and that a ship flying a Turkish flag was damaged at the port of Chornomorsk, while a fire also broke out.
Intervention by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
After the attack on a Turkish cargo ship, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for the immediate termination of the conflict.
The attack on the port of Chornomorsk, which caused damage to a foreign flag ship belonging to a Turkish company, confirms the concerns we had previously expressed regarding the expansion of the ongoing war in the Black Sea region and its impact on maritime security and freedom of navigation.
The crew was evacuated and no Turkish citizens were injured, the ministry clarified.
They stressed the need to quickly reach an agreement under which both sides will stop attacks aimed at undermining the security of shipping, as well as port and energy infrastructure.
Ukraine attacked multiple ships in the Black Sea
On 10 December, an attack was reported on a ship flying the flag of the Comoros.
The tanker was en route to the port of Novorossiysk, but was attacked along the way by Sea Baby unmanned vessels.
Ukraine confirmed its involvement in the attack.
On 28 November, attacks were reported on the tankers Kairos and Virat flying the flag of Gambia, which were heading toward Russia.
The Security Service of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Navy also claimed responsibility for the attacks.
After this, the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure reported an attack on the tanker Midvolga 2, which was registered at the Great Port of Saint Petersburg.
The ship was carrying vegetable oil and was heading toward Georgia.
Erdogan intervention: Ukrainian attacks unacceptable
Turkish President Erdogan stated that Ukrainian attacks on tankers in the Black Sea are unacceptable and constitute a deliberate threat to civilian shipping.
The head of state noted that the incidents occurred within Turkey’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which constitutes a violation of its sovereignty.
“The conflict between Russia and Ukraine appears to threaten the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. We cannot in any way justify attacks on ships in our exclusive zone,” Erdogan emphasized.
The political scientist and former Turkish trade representative in Moscow doubted that the Turkish authorities would resort to harsh retaliation against Ukraine.
The port of Odessa
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών