Daijiworld Media Network - Istanbul
Istanbul, May 30: Turkey has called on all parties involved in the ongoing conflict in the Black Sea region to avoid actions that could trigger an uncontrolled escalation, following an attack on a Turkish-owned cargo vessel that left two crew members injured.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey said that a Turkish-owned, Vanuatu-flagged dry cargo ship travelling from the Port of Odesa to Turkey was struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle during the night.
The attack resulted in minor injuries to two Turkish nationals serving as crew members aboard the vessel. Turkish authorities said the condition of the injured sailors is being closely monitored by the Consulate General of Turkey in Odesa.
Expressing concern over growing instability in the Black Sea, Ankara warned that the recent escalation of hostilities poses significant risks to regional security and maritime activity. The ministry stated that Turkey has been consistently communicating its concerns to all relevant parties and emphasised the need to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“We reiterate our warning to all parties to refrain from steps that could lead to an uncontrolled escalation of the conflict,” the ministry said, while reaffirming Turkey’s support for diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war through negotiations.
Turkey also renewed its call for the protection of civilian maritime traffic in the Black Sea, stressing the importance of ensuring safe navigation for commercial vessels operating in the region. The government stated that it remains prepared to support regionally driven initiatives designed to reduce tensions and advance peace efforts.
The incident comes amid increasing security concerns across the wider Black Sea region.
Separately, Romania reported that a Russian drone entered its airspace during overnight attacks targeting Ukraine. According to the Romanian Ministry of National Defence, the drone crashed into a residential apartment building, causing a fire and injuring two people.
The injured residents were transported to a local emergency hospital for treatment. Romanian authorities said the incident occurred during a renewed wave of Russian drone strikes near the country's river border with Ukraine.
The latest developments underscore the growing risks posed by the conflict beyond Ukraine's borders, with neighbouring countries increasingly facing security challenges linked to military operations in the region. Turkey and other regional stakeholders have repeatedly urged restraint to prevent the conflict from expanding further and disrupting critical trade and shipping routes across the Black Sea.