Reports of the attack on the Midvolga-2 come after Ukraine rammed two other Russian-flagged vessels in the Black Sea.
Published on December 2, 2025
A Russian-flagged tanker in the Black Sea is reported to have attacked the Turkish coast, the third such vessel to be targeted in a week.
Turkey’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs said on Tuesday that the Midvolga-2 was reported to have come under attack about 130 km (80 miles) from land.
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The tanker was carrying sunflower oil to Georgia. The attack follows attacks by Ukrainian naval drones on two Russian-flagged ships, which Kiev says are part of Russia. “Fleet of Shadows” Exporting crude in violation of international sanctions.
Friday strike Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea are signs of a “worrying escalation” of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
13 members of the Midvolga-2 crew were unharmed, the Directorate said on X, adding that the ship had not requested help and was heading towards the Turkish port of Sinop.
It did not provide further details, but Turkish TV channel NTV reported that the kamikaze drone was used.
A Turkish official told Reuters news agency that in response to the incident, “necessary messages were conveyed to relevant parties, including Ukrainian authorities”.
Turkish Balance Act
Kiros and Virat were targeted by Ukraine on Friday as they were en route to a Russian port to load with oil destined for foreign markets, a Kiev official told Reuters.
A total of 113 such ships sailed under false flags in the first nine months of this year, transporting about 11 million tons of Russian crude, worth 4.7 billion euros ($5.4 billion), according to a recent report by the Helsinki-based think tank Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
NATO member Turkey has maintained cordial relations with both Kiev and Moscow throughout the war, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022.
It has tried to assume the role of a mediator by holding three rounds of peace talks.
As part of NATO, Ankara has provided military aid to Ukraine. However, he has refused to join Western sanctions against the Kremlin and insists that navigational security be maintained in the Black Sea.
“We cannot condone these attacks, which threaten navigational safety, life and the environment, especially in our own exclusive zone,” Erdogan said in a televised address on Monday, adding that Turkey had issued a warning to “all concerned sides”.
Crude target
Kiev, which has for years launched heavy attacks targeting its energy infrastructure, has in recent months focused on disrupting Russia’s oil industry to starve Moscow of funds to sustain its war.
It has caught fire at Russian refineries and crude terminals.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that Ukraine had attacked an oil tanker and infrastructure There were “acts of terrorism” in the Black Sea that threatened freedom of navigation in the region.
A Ukrainian drone strike has set an oil facility on fire in southern Russia’s Oryol region, officials said on Tuesday.