Three seriously injured as drone strikes Turkish roro off Novorossiysk

Three seafarers have been seriously injured after the Turkish-owned roro Nadezhda was struck by a drone close to Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, the latest merchant ship casualty in an increasingly lethal theatre for crews. The Cameroon-flagged vessel was around 20 nautical miles from Novorossiysk on Monday, sailing for Samsun, when it came under attack. Turkey’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs said the ship’s accommodation block and bow were damaged, with a fire continuing to burn onboard. All 22 crew, including 13 Turkish nationals, were evacuated to Novorossiysk by Russian maritime units. Three were reported to be in a serious condition. Turkish authorities said further rescue work around the ship had been curtailed because of the continuing threat of drone attacks. No party has claimed responsibility for the strike. The vessel’s master has alleged that several Ukrainian drones were involved, although this has not been independently verified. Nadezhda is linked to Samsun-based Kalyoncu Shipping and has been employed carrying fresh produce between Russia and Turkey. The attack comes amid a sharp escalation in strikes on commercial shipping across the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. The July wave included fatal attacks on the Turkish-linked Reyhan Sari and Sabahat Telli as well as the Atlas Bey and Golden Leo, adding to mounting pressure on Ankara to protect nationals sailing into the war zone. A Turkish seafarers’ union said last month that as of July 21 at least 15 seafarers had been killed in the region during June and July, accusing owners of continuing to chase freight income while crews absorb the physical risk. “Companies that send seafarers into war zones for the sake of high freight earnings and profit are openly abandoning them to their fate instead of ensuring their safety,” the union said. It argued that crew from countries marked by high unemployment and severe income inequality, including Turkey, Syria and India, were not freely choosing to accept such assignments. “Seafarers accepting these enormous risks for extremely low wages are not making a free choice or seeking adventure,” the union said. “It is the result of structural desperation created by economic crisis.” Meanwhile in the Black Sea, Ukrainian drones continue to target ships trying to reach the Russian coast. The „Nadezhda“ (IMO: 7702657) a ro/ro cargo ship was struck off the coast of Novorossiysk. pic.twitter.com/jPC9dzyU5B — (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) August 4, 2026 Follow Us Sam Chambers Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune. Newsletter DAILY SPLASH NEWSLETTER Subscribe now for FREE daily news updates. Subscribe Read Next August 4, 2026 Torm tied to MR newbuild series in China August 4, 2026 Minerva adds to boxship newbuild series August 4, 2026 Arcadia expands newbuild programme with Hengli LR2 trio August 4, 2026 Crewmember missing after bulker struck in Hormuz August 4, 2026 MSC sues CargoLoop over electric vehicle fire