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Türkiye late Monday confirmed that a Turkish-owned roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) cargo ship was struck by drones near Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, with three crew members possibly seriously injured.
In a statement, Türkiye's Directorate General of Maritime Affairs (DGM) said the NADEZHDA was hit by a drone attack about 20 nautical miles off Novorossiysk on Aug. 3.
The vessel was sailing from Novorossiysk Port to Samsun, the DGM said.
"There are a total of 22 crew members on board, 13 of whom are Turkish citizens," the statement said.
According to initial findings, the ship sustained damage to its living quarters and bow section, and a fire was continuing on board.
The DGM said the crew members were safely evacuated to Novorossiysk Port by Russian naval units after talks with MRCC Novo.
"According to initial information, the health condition of three personnel may be serious," the statement said.
The DGM said a fire was continuing on board and that a rescue operation could not be carried out because the risk of drone attacks in the area was ongoing.
"Developments regarding the matter are being closely followed, and we extend our get-well wishes to all our seafarers and hope they will be reunited with their families in good health as soon as possible," it said.
Earlier reports said the Turkish-owned vessel, carrying fresh fruit and vegetables between Türkiye and Russia, was struck near Novorossiysk, injuring four crew members, including three Turkish nationals.
Those reports said the Cameroon-flagged Nadezhda was attacked at about 4:30 p.m. Türkiye time while about 30 nautical miles from Novorossiysk.
The vessel was identified as being linked to Samsun-based Kalyoncu Shipping, with maritime databases also linking the ship to the company.
Crew members reportedly responded to the fire after the attack.
The ship's captain, Yalcin Sahin, alleged that Ukraine carried out the strike and said six or seven drones were used.
Sahin said everyone aboard was alive but that there were injuries. A personnel count was reportedly conducted after the attack, with all crew members accounted for and no one reported missing.
Footage circulating on social media appeared to show a Russian patrol boat alongside or approaching the vessel after the incident.
The claim that Ukraine carried out the strike could not be independently verified.
There was no immediate independently verifiable statement from the vessel's operator or Ukrainian and Russian authorities confirming the details of the attack.
The reported attack would be the latest in a series of incidents involving Turkish-owned or Turkish-operated commercial vessels in the Black Sea since the Russia-Ukraine war began.
Ukraine has targeted Russian-flagged vessels in the Black Sea throughout the nearly four-and-a-half-year war and has accused Russia of using the waterway to transport sanctioned goods, including oil.
Türkiye has repeatedly warned that attacks on commercial shipping are expanding the risks of the war beyond the immediate conflict zone, while Turkish-owned and Turkish-crewed vessels continue to operate on contested Black Sea routes.
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