Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, in a statement following the targeting of two tankers in the Black Sea, stated that the attacks were a serious violation of both Turkey’s sovereignty and the property rights of the ship owners. Peskov reacted harshly, describing the incidents as an “unacceptable attack.”
In his assessment to journalists in Moscow, Peskov said, “Such attacks on commercial vessels in Turkish territorial waters are a grave situation that both threatens security and violates sovereign rights. These kinds of actions once again reveal the true character of the Kiev regime.”
The Gambia-flagged tankers Kairos and Virat sent a distress call off the coast of Turkey on November 28 while sailing to Russia without cargo. It was reported that a fire broke out in the engine room of the Kairos, and the Virat sustained hull damage. While the fire was quickly brought under control, the 25-member crew of the Kairos was evacuated to shore. It was announced that there were no Russian sailors among the crew.
The Turkish Ministry of Transport announced that in both incidents, “the possibility of external influence is being evaluated.” On the morning of November 30, it was reported that the Virat was targeted a second time by an unmanned sea vehicle.
Immediately after the tanker incidents, on November 29, the single-point mooring platform at the sea terminal of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) near Novorossiysk was also struck by unmanned sea vehicles. The consortium announced that the structure was heavily damaged and it was not possible for it to continue operations.
Russia announced that following all these developments, it is acting in close contact with Turkish authorities, and the process is being followed at both diplomatic and technical levels.
