Türkiye urges Russia and Ukraine not to drag energy infrastructure into war
Photo: Türkiye calls on Russia and Ukraine not to drag energy infrastructure into the war (Getty Images)
After a series of attacks on tankers belonging to Russia's shadow fleet in the Black Sea, Türkiye is calling on Russia, Ukraine, and all other parties not to draw energy infrastructure into the war, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, France24 reports.
"Türkiye is telling Russia, Ukraine, and all other parties to keep energy infrastructure out of their conflict and wants energy flows to continue uninterrupted," Bayraktar said.
Ukraine, which has targeted Russia's oil exports as Moscow strikes its energy infrastructure, claimed responsibility for a sea-drone attack on two empty shadow fleet tankers headed for a Russian port last week.
However, it denied any involvement in another incident that occurred on Tuesday, December 2, when a Russia-flagged tanker loaded with sunflower oil came under drone attack.
Attacks on Russia's shadow fleet tankers
On November 28, a fire broke out in the Black Sea near the Bosphorus on two tankers belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.
Reports said an explosion and fire occurred aboard the vessel Kairos while it was travelling from Egypt to the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
Another tanker, Virat, sustained damage roughly 35 nautical miles off the Turkish coast.
Later, RBC-Ukraine sources reported that the tankers were struck by Ukraine’s SBU Sea Baby naval drones equipped with reinforced warheads.
The Turkish government expressed concern over the drone attacks on Russia's shadow fleet tankers.
On December 2, a small tanker, Midvolga 2, came under attack in the Black Sea about 80 miles from Türkiye's northern coast while carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Georgia.
Ukraine immediately denied involvement. This was clearly a provocation by the Russian regime.
