Three crew seriously injured after drones hit cargo ship "Nadezhda" in the Black Sea
The vessel was struck about 20 nautical miles (37 km) off Novorossiysk while sailing to Samsun; Turkish media cite the captain saying Ukrainian drones were involved.
At least three members of the crew were seriously injured when drones struck the Turkish-registered cargo vessel "Nadezhda" in the Black Sea, Turkish authorities reported.
The Turkish General Directorate for Maritime Affairs said last night the ship was hit roughly 20 nautical miles (37 kilometres) off the Russian port of Novorossiysk while en route to the Turkish city of Samsun.
Turkish officials did not name who was responsible for the attack. Turkish media, citing a statement from the ship's captain, said the vessel — sailing under the flag of Cameroon — was struck by several Ukrainian drones.
The Russian navy reportedly evacuated all 23 crew members to Novorossiysk; at least three were taken with serious injuries, according to the available accounts.
Escalation of maritime attacks
In recent weeks, both Ukrainian and Russian forces have intensified strikes against shipping in the Black Sea, putting commercial and neutral vessels at increased risk as tensions and hostilities continue in the region.
Authorities from Turkey, Russia and the ship's operators are expected to investigate the incident while maritime traffic in parts of the Black Sea remains under heightened threat.
Photo: press material from the event
