Three oil tankers were struck by drones Thursday in Black Sea waters off Turkey’s northern coastline, according to shipping agency Tribeca.
The vessel James II, flying a Palau flag and carrying no cargo, was positioned approximately 50 miles north of the Turkeli Area when the strike happened, according to the agency’s report.
Two additional vessels, the Altura and Velora, both operating under Sierra Leone flags and also empty, came under attack in the same vicinity while conducting a ship-to-ship transfer operation, the agency reported.
Emergency response vessels from coastal authorities were dispatched to provide aid, and all sailors aboard the three tankers were confirmed to be in good health, according to the agency.
Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly targeted each other’s maritime facilities and oil vessels following Russia’s comprehensive military offensive against Ukraine that began more than four years ago. No immediate claims of responsibility were made by either nation regarding Thursday’s reported strikes.
Officials from Turkey’s transport ministry could not be reached for statements about the incidents due to the Muslim Eid holiday observance.
