🎙 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding the Kiev regime’s attacks in the Black Sea (June 2, 2026)
 
Question: On the evening of May 28, a Turkish vessel, sailing under the flag of Vanuatu and carrying dry cargo from Odessa to Turkiye, was attacked by a drone. According to the Ukrainian navy, the vessel was attacked by a Russian UAV. Is this true? If so, what implications could this incident have for Russian-Turkish relations?

💬 Maria Zakharova: We are concerned by the significant escalation of terrorist activity by the Kiev regime in the Black Sea, which is worsening conditions and increasing risks for civilian shipping.

☝️ We remain convinced that eliminating all security threats in the region is indispensable to any comprehensive settlement of the crisis surrounding Ukraine. What we are seeing now is a familiar playbook: Ukrainian militants launch thug-like attacks on vessels with USVs or UAVs – and then try to blame Russia.

We have taken note of yet another provocation aimed at destabilising the Black Sea region – namely, the attack on tankers by Ukrainian naval drones on May 28 near the Turkish coast and the Bosphorus Strait.

These actions, directed against civilian commercial vessels, have once again shown that the Kiev junta has complete disregard for the principles and norms of international law, while routinely denying any involvement in such incidents.

In our view, these provocations – which are nothing short of terrorist acts – must be subjected to a thorough and impartial investigation. They also deserve a clear public response and condemnation from all coastal states, which bear a special responsibility for ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.

❗️ Naturally, both the organisers and the perpetrators of these lawless attacks must be held accountable.

We reaffirm our readiness to work closely with Ankara in the interests of finding the best ways to stabilise the Black Sea region and exert effective influence on Kiev.