Russian Foreign Ministry Condemns Ukrainian Attacks in the Black Sea, Calls for Public Response from All Coastal States

Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has expressed concern over the significant escalation of terrorist activity by the Kiev regime in the Black Sea, stating that it is worsening conditions and increasing risks for civilian shipping.

In response to a media question on June 2, Zakharova addressed the incident in which a Turkish vessel, sailing under the flag of Vanuatu and carrying dry cargo from Odessa to Turkiye, was attacked by a drone on the evening of May 28. The Ukrainian navy had claimed the vessel was attacked by a Russian UAV. Zakharova described this as a familiar playbook, noting the attack on tankers by Ukrainian naval drones on May 28 near the Turkish coast and the Bosphorus Strait as yet another provocation aimed at destabilising the Black Sea region.

“We are concerned by the significant escalation of terrorist activity by the Kiev regime in the Black Sea, which is worsening conditions and increasing risks for civilian shipping,” Zakharova said. “We remain convinced that eliminating all security threats in the region is indispensable to any comprehensive settlement of the crisis surrounding Ukraine. What we are seeing now is a familiar playbook: Ukrainian militants launch thug-like attacks on vessels with USVs or UAVs, and then try to blame Russia.”

She stated that these actions, directed against civilian commercial vessels, have once again shown that the Kiev junta has complete disregard for the principles and norms of international law, while routinely denying any involvement in such incidents. “In our view, these provocations, which are nothing short of terrorist acts, must be subjected to a thorough and impartial investigation. They also deserve a clear public response and condemnation from all coastal states, which bear a special responsibility for ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea,” she said.

Zakharova stressed that both the organisers and the perpetrators of these lawless attacks must be held accountable. She also reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to work closely with Ankara in the interests of finding the best ways to stabilise the Black Sea region and exert effective influence on Kiev.