Ukraine has alleged that Russian forces deliberately targeted a Turkish-flagged vessel carrying sunflower oil in the Black Sea with a drone strike on Saturday, marking the second such incident involving a Turkish ship in consecutive days. The attack prompted a strong condemnation from President Volodymyr Zelensky, who described it as a threat to global food security.
The Ukrainian navy reported that the vessel, named VIVA and bound for Egypt, was hit while navigating Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone along a designated grain corridor intended for safe agricultural exports. “Russia delivered a targeted strike using a drone against the Turkish vessel ‘VIVA’, which was en route to Egypt carrying sunflower oil,” the navy stated on social media. No injuries were reported among the 11 crew members, and the ship continued its voyage despite damage.
Accompanying footage showed water flooding the deck and remnants resembling a drone engine. The corridor, hugging Ukraine’s coastline, was established to facilitate vital grain and oil shipments amid the ongoing conflict.
Zelensky, in his evening address, vowed international coordination for a response. “It was a strike against food security,” he said. “Striking such ships, which have nothing to do with the war, is a direct challenge by Russia to the whole world. We will work with our partners to determine how to respond to this. There will be a response.”
The incident follows a Friday Russian attack that ignited a fire on a Turkish-owned ship docked at a Ukrainian port. It coincides with diplomatic efforts: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during talks with Vladimir Putin on Friday, urged an end to strikes on ports and energy infrastructure.
Turkey, a NATO member maintaining ties with both sides, has mediated Black Sea grain deals previously. The renewed incidents risk straining Ankara-Moscow relations while highlighting vulnerabilities in maritime export routes crucial for global food supplies Ukraine and Russia together account for nearly 30 per cent of wheat exports pre-war.
