Ankara: The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemns the targeting of two Turkish civilian vessels in the Black Sea. The ministry expressed its deep concern on Tuesday regarding the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, following an attack on two Turkish-owned civilian vessels by drones, which resulted in injuries to several crew members, including Turkish citizens.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the ministry stated that the vessels, the Yasar and the Nadezhda, were attacked on Monday evening after departing the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The statement added that the incident resulted in injuries to several crew members, including Turkish citizens.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry emphasized that the safety of Turkish citizens is its "top priority," noting that authorities are closely monitoring the condition of the injured. Ankara expressed its concern about the widening scope of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, pointing out that the dispute is now affecting civilian vessels despite repeated warnings.

The ministry warned that continued escalation in the Black Sea, unless urgent preventive measures are taken, could have far-reaching negative consequences, including impacts on global food security, as well as other economic and trade repercussions. The ministry reiterated its call to all parties involved, particularly the warring parties, to take immediate and practical steps to ensure the safety and security of navigation in the Black Sea and to prevent attacks on civilian vessels.