Turkey summons Ukraine envoy over Black Sea ship attacks

Turkey summoned Ukraine's ambassador after what its foreign ministry described as attacks on a Turkish container ship and a second vessel sent to tow it in the Black Sea this week.

The ministry said the Turkish container ship Lider Bordo Mavi was hit on Wednesday while it was off the Russian coast on the Black Sea. It said the Lider Kocatepe, which had been sent to tow the cargo vessel, was targeted the next day.

Turkey warned during the meeting of the need to ensure the safety of people, assets, navigation and the environment in the Black Sea, the ministry said Saturday.

The ministry did not say whether anyone was killed or injured. Local Turkish media reported that the container ship was towed to the Turkish port of Samsun.

Ankara has for weeks called on Ukraine and Russia to suspend attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea. Turkey is a NATO member that maintains relations with both Kyiv and Moscow and has not joined Western sanctions against Russia.