Ukrainian forces are said to have attacked the ship “Ivan Churs” with drones near the Bosphorus. Unmanned watercraft were destroyed.
The Russian reconnaissance ship Ivan Churspicture alliance/dpa
Russia says it has repelled a Ukrainian attack on a Russian warship tasked with guarding gas pipelines in Turkish waters. “Ukrainian forces have unsuccessfully attempted to attack the Black Sea Fleet ship Ivan Churs (…)”, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram on Wednesday. Three unmanned watercraft, also known as drone ships, were destroyed.
The attack occurred early on Wednesday morning “140 kilometers northeast of the Bosporus” when the Russian ship was “performing tasks to ensure the safe operation of the Turkish Stream and Blue Stream gas pipelines.” Turkey initially did not comment on the incident.
Combat operations in the Black Sea
Since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, there have already been several incidents involving Russian warships or aircraft in the Black Sea. In March, a US military drone crashed into the Black Sea after an incident involving a Russian fighter jet, escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Moscow.
In April 2022, the missile cruiser Moskva, the heart of the Black Sea Fleet, sank. Russia spoke of an “explosion on board”. Ukraine said it sunk the warship with rocket fire.
An agreement brokered by the UN and Turkey regulates the safe export of grain ships from Ukrainian ports through the Black Sea towards Asia and Africa. The grain deal was extended for another two months on May 17.
