Drone strikes hit Turkish-owned cargo ships near a Russian Black Sea Port, injuring three crew members

Aug 3, 2026

On August 3, 2026, the Turkish-owned cargo ships Nadezhda and Yaşar were struck by drones near the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. The attack on the Nadezhda injured three crew members and sparked a fire in its bow, forcing the evacuation of all 22 crew members to Russia. The ship's captain, Yalcin Sahin, blamed Ukrainian drones for the strike. Türkiye's Foreign Ministry expressed serious concern over the spreading conflict, warning of severe consequences for global food security if commercial navigation remains unprotected.

Nadezhda drone strike

▪The Nadezhda was sailing from Novorossiysk to the northern Turkish port of Samsun when the drone attack occurred.
▪The drone strike caused a fire in the bow of the Nadezhda and damaged its living quarters.
▪The Nadezhda's captain, Yalcin Sahin, stated that six or seven Ukrainian drones struck the vessel.
▪The Cameroon-flagged, Turkish-owned cargo ship Nadezhda was struck by drones on August 3, 2026, approximately 20 nautical miles off the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.

Turkish crew casualties

▪Three crew members of the Nadezhda were seriously injured in the drone attack.
▪All 22 crew members of the Nadezhda, including 13 Turkish nationals, were evacuated to Russia by Russian maritime units.

Black Sea commercial shipping risks

▪The Turkish Foreign Ministry warned that escalation in the Black Sea could have multidimensional adverse consequences, including for global food security.
▪Türkiye, Romania, and Bulgaria established a joint maritime security initiative to clear stray naval mines in the Black Sea.
▪The Turkish Foreign Ministry identified a second Turkish-owned civilian vessel, the Yaşar, as also being attacked by drones after departing Novorossiysk on August 3, 2026.

Ukraine-Russia maritime warfare

▪A Russian strike sank the cargo ship Golden Leo off Odesa on July 26, 2026.
▪In July 2026, the Liberian-flagged LPG tanker Gas Lisbon was struck off Romania's coast, resulting in the death of one crew member.