Russian cargo ship damaged in attack off Novorossiysk runs aground in Turkey
The Russian-flagged cargo ship OMSKIY-107, damaged in an attack off the Russian port of Novorossiysk, drifted across the Black Sea and ran aground off Turkey's coast, Turkish news agency DHA reported.
The 108-meter vessel ran aground near Alacalı Beach in Istanbul's Şile district after drifting toward the Turkish coast.
The crew abandoned the ship in lifeboats following the attack, according to DHA.
Photos published by the agency show extensive fire damage to the vessel's bridge.
Turkish Coast Guard teams were dispatched after authorities were alerted that the ship was drifting toward shore. Security forces cordoned off the area and began inspecting the vessel.
It was not immediately clear who carried out the attack on OMSKIY-107.
The incident comes as Turkey pushes for greater security for commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
On Aug. 8, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ukraine had received a proposal to develop a mechanism for a moratorium on attacks against ships in the Black Sea, with a similar appeal delivered to Russia.
Reuters later reported, citing sources, that Ukraine had proposed a mutual halt to attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea. Moscow had not publicly responded to the proposal at the time.
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