On Tuesday, December 2, the Russian-flagged oil tanker “MIDVOLGA-2” carrying sunflower seed oil was attacked about 130 kilometers (80 miles) off the coast of the Black Sea and Turkey. Turkish authorities have confirmed the incident. The Turkish Maritime Department stated that all 13 crew members on board were unharmed, and the vessel did not request assistance, heading towards the port of Sinop in Turkey under its own power.
This incident comes in the midst of a series of recent attacks on oil tankers associated with Russia, marking the fourth similar event within a week. Just a few days ago, Ukrainian naval drones attacked two sanctioned Russian “shadow fleet” oil tankers – the “Kairos” and the “Virat”. This was seen as Ukraine’s attempt to put pressure on Russia’s vast oil industry.
On Monday, another oil tanker carrying Russian diesel was hit by multiple explosions off the coast of Senegal in West Africa. The tanker named “Mersin” had made several stops in Russian ports this year. The Senegalese Port Authority reported that after taking on a significant amount of water, the “Mersin” had stabilized, the crew was safe, and no pollution had occurred.
Following the attack on “MIDVOLGA-2”, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan issued a warning, stating that attacks on commercial ships are unacceptable and describing such actions as a “worrying escalation”. He emphasized that attacks endangering navigation safety, lives, and the environment are intolerable, especially in Turkey’s exclusive economic zone.
“Midvolga-2” set sail from Russia with Georgia as its destination. According to the maritime database Equasis, the vessel is owned by Mazk Management, based in Moscow. The company has not yet responded to requests for comments.
As a NATO member, Turkey has sought to maintain a neutral balance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict by providing military support to Kyiv while refusing to join Western sanctions against Moscow. Turkey has also played a mediating role, hosting peace talks in Ankara numerous times, leading to agreements on Black Sea grain exports and prisoner exchanges.
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This is a retelling of an incident where the Russian-flagged oil tanker “MIDVOLGA-2” was attacked off the coast of the Black Sea and Turkey, part of a series of recent attacks on vessels associated with Russia. Turkey confirmed the attack, with all crew members reported unharmed. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assault as a threat to navigation safety and the environment, stressing that such actions are intolerable.
The incident highlights the tensions in the region and the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As the situation unfolds, it raises concerns about maritime security and calls for a renewed focus on peaceful resolutions to avoid further escalation and ensure the safety of all involved.