Russia attacked Turkish vessel after high-level visit to Moscow and cannot be trusted – Ukrainian minister

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has drawn attention to the fact that Russia struck a Turkish dry cargo vessel right after Türkiye's foreign minister visited Russia and stressed that Russia's words cannot be trusted.

Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Overnight, Russia attacked a Türkiye-owned dry cargo vessel in the Black Sea. And it did so right after a high-level Turkish visit to Russia [at the level of the foreign minister – ed.]. A clear demonstration that Russia's words cannot be trusted. Russia remains the main threat to the Black Sea security and prosperity."

Details: The minister said that the Ukrainian navy rescued the crew of the stricken vessel, most of whom were citizens of Türkiye and India. One crew member, an Egyptian national, was killed.

Two other vessels – flying the flags of Palau and Belize – also came under Russian strikes; their crews were unharmed.

"We are informing all states and organisations about this brazen attack on international law and freedom of navigation. It requires strong and principled responses from the international community and the International Maritime Organisation," Sybiha said.

Background:

• At the beginning of June, a Turkish fishing vessel came under attack near occupied Crimea.
• In mid-June, a Russian frigate fired warning shots at a civilian yacht in the English Channel.

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