Turkey summons Ukraine's ambassador over attacks on Turkish ships in Black Sea

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey summoned Ukraine's ambassador to Ankara, Nariman Dzhelyalov, on Saturday over attacks on Turkish civilian vessels in the Black Sea, Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said. Turkish diplomats told the envoy that compliance with security measures in the area was a mandatory condition, according to state broadcaster TRT Haber. The summons followed two consecutive strikes on Turkish ships. On August 26, the vessel "Leader Bourdo Mavi" was targeted off Tuapse, and on August 27, the "Leader Cogitative," which was heading to the first ship, was also attacked. The condition of the crews and the extent of damage to the vessels had not yet been clarified. Mustafa Can, chairman of Transbosphor Maritime Company, said on August 25 that Turkey could face losses of up to $20 billion within three months if attacks on ships in the Black Sea continued. Can also noted a marked decline in the number of vessels passing through the Turkish straits. Ankara has conveyed to Kyiv through diplomatic channels that navigation in the Black Sea is vital for trade and that the developments are heightening economic concerns. No further details on the ambassador's response were immediately available.