This September 1 image showing the severely damaged Anna S being towed through the Bosphorus Strait is one of several recent photos snapped from the Turkish coast that highlight the escalating war on shipping in the Black Sea.The Greek-owned bulk carrier was reportedly targeted by five aerial drones as it neared the Russian port of Novorossiysk to fill up with grain on August 17. All 20 Filipino sailors and its Romanian captain were able to escape the vessel unhurt.
The Russian-flagged Omskiy-107 photographed on September 1 after running aground near Istanbul. The cargo ship's crew had abandoned the vessel after it was attacked by drones near Novorossiysk at an unknown date in August.Tomas Alexa, a senior analyst with maritime risk management firm Ambrey, told RFE/RL that attacks on shipping in the Black Sea have surged since Ukraine launched Operation Molochka in early July. The drone campaign aims to disrupt maritime trade routes that Russia relies on for revenue.
The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Great Ocean, showing damage from an apparent drone strike, is towed through the Bosphorus on August 20.Alexa said the list of apparent targets has recently expanded "from tankers to dry-cargo vessels," and the danger for seamen has intensified. Aerial drone strikes targeting accommodation blocks, he said, “were rare before [Ukraine's Operation Molochka]. He added that "Russia has responded in kind, but with fewer merchant ships available as targets it has concentrated more on ports."
