Following the downing of an unidentified UAV over the Black Sea, Erdogan urged Ukraine and Russia to cease strikes on maritime vehicles.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan / © Associated Press
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cautioned both Russia and Ukraine against actions targeting merchant and non-military ships, stating that such aggression offers no gain or advantage to either nation.
He conveyed this sentiment during an address to Turkish envoys in Ankara, as reported by Daily Sabah.
Hazard to Shipping and the Montreux Agreement
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey steadfastly adheres to the Montreux Agreement to avert the intensification of conflict within the Black Sea region.
“Nevertheless, the recent reciprocal attacks constitute a grave peril to navigational safety in the Black Sea. Assaults on trade and civilian ships benefit nobody. We are explicitly communicating our concerns on this matter to both parties,” the Turkish leader declared.
The press observed that, in accordance with the terms of the Montreux Convention (1936), Ankara exercises authority over the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, possessing the power to limit the transit of warships belonging to nations engaged in hostilities. To date, this framework has ensured stability for Turkey. However, in recent weeks, skirmishes have begun to extend into waters adjacent to Turkish territorial boundaries.
Drone Event
While Erdogan did not directly address the operation to neutralize the aircraft in his discourse, the Turkish Defense Ministry furnished details regarding the occurrence.
As per the agency, Turkish F-16 aircraft intercepted and annihilated an “unmanned” aerial vehicle originating from the Black Sea. The item was determined to be a drone that had suffered a loss of control. To avert potential repercussions, it was downed in a secure zone outside populated locales. Official Ankara is refraining from identifying the country of origin for the device.
As a reminder, the Security Service of Ukraine, in collaboration with the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, executed a substantial special operation within the waters of the port of Novorossiysk, resulting in damage to a Russian Navy submarine.
It was additionally disclosed that on the evening of Tuesday, December 16, the Russian military assaulted the Odessa region using drones. There were no injuries. The offensive led to a significant blaze on the grounds of a certain facility.
Source: tsn.ua