Moscow, August 28, 2026 – The Europe Today: Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has claimed that Ukrainian forces have struck 214 civilian vessels flying the flags of various countries in the Black Sea since the beginning of 2026.
Speaking at a regular briefing on Thursday, Zakharova accused Ukraine of escalating attacks in the Black Sea and said the incidents were creating security risks for countries in the region and threatening maritime shipping.
She cited a series of recent attacks near Russian ports, including incidents involving vessels operated by Turkish companies. According to the Russian official, a San Marino-flagged vessel, Necibe, was struck by Ukrainian drones, after which its 18 crew members were rescued by the Turkish-owned vessel Ural. The latter was subsequently hit in another drone attack, leaving one Turkish citizen dead and eight others injured, according to the Russian account.
Zakharova also raised concerns over an August 20 incident in which a Romanian F-16 fighter reportedly fired on an explosives-laden maritime drone near the Neptun Alpha gas platform in Romania’s exclusive economic zone.
She further alleged that weapons supplied to Ukraine through NATO mechanisms were being used against vessels associated with NATO member states.
According to the report, Ukraine has intensified maritime operations in the Black Sea in recent months as part of its broader campaign to exert pressure on Russia. Ukrainian officials have described the operations as part of efforts to compel Moscow to end the conflict.
The report also noted that Russia has responded by intensifying strikes on defense-related industrial facilities, vessels carrying military cargo and port infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region.
Odesa remains strategically important to Ukraine’s economy, as its ports handle a major share of the country’s seaborne exports, including agricultural commodities.
The figures and allegations regarding attacks on civilian vessels were presented by the Russian Foreign Ministry and have not been independently verified in the report.
