On November 24, 2023, a Russian warship fired warning shots at a Turkish cargo ship in the Black Sea, claiming that it was violating Russia’s territorial waters and ignoring radio communications. The incident sparked a diplomatic row between Moscow and Ankara, as both sides accused each other of violating international law and maritime safety.
What is the background of the incident?
The incident occurred near the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway that connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The strait is strategically important for both Russia and Ukraine, as it provides access to their ports and industrial regions in the Sea of Azov. However, the strait is also a source of tension, as Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and built a bridge across the strait in 2018, limiting the passage of ships.
In 2018, Russia also seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews near the strait, sparking a major crisis that led to international sanctions and condemnation. Since then, Russia has increased its military presence and patrols in the area, while Ukraine has sought support from NATO and other allies to counter Russia’s aggression.
What happened on November 24?
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Turkish cargo ship named Yavuz Selim was sailing from Istanbul to Mariupol, a port city in eastern Ukraine controlled by the Ukrainian government. The ship entered Russia’s territorial waters near Cape Takil, about 19 kilometers (12 miles) from the Kerch Strait, without permission or notification.
The Russian warship named Admiral Makarov tried to contact the cargo ship by radio, but received no response. The warship then fired warning shots from its 30 mm cannon at a distance of about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the cargo ship, forcing it to change course and leave Russia’s waters.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that the cargo ship violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which defines territorial waters as a belt of coastal waters extending up to 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers or 14 miles) from the baseline of a coastal state. The ministry also said that the cargo ship endangered navigation safety and posed a threat to Russia’s national security.
How did Turkey respond?
The Turkish Foreign Ministry denied Russia’s claims and said that the cargo ship was sailing in international waters and did not violate any laws or regulations. The ministry also said that the cargo ship did not receive any warning shots or radio messages from the Russian warship, and that it only heard some noises that sounded like fireworks.
The ministry condemned Russia’s actions as “unacceptable” and “provocative”, and summoned the Russian ambassador to Ankara to express its protest and demand an explanation. The ministry also said that Turkey reserves its rights to take legal action against Russia for violating international law and maritime safety.
What are the implications of the incident?
The incident has raised tensions between Russia and Turkey, two regional powers that have been involved in several conflicts and disputes in recent years. For instance, Turkey supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Russia backs separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. Turkey also supports Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, while Russia has a military base in Armenia and acts as a mediator. Turkey also opposes Russia’s intervention in Syria and Libya, where they back different factions.
However, despite their differences, Russia and Turkey have also maintained pragmatic cooperation on various issues, such as trade, energy, tourism, and counter-terrorism. They have also established dialogue mechanisms to de-escalate tensions and avoid direct confrontation. For example, they have agreed on a ceasefire deal in Syria’s Idlib province, where they have rival interests and proxies.
Therefore, it is unlikely that the incident will escalate into a major crisis or military conflict between Russia and Turkey. However, it may affect their bilateral relations and cooperation on other regional issues. It may also increase international pressure on Russia to respect international law and maritime safety in the Black Sea region.