Besiktas Shipping Ceases Russian Trade Following Suspected Ukrainian Strike
Turkish tanker owner Besiktas Shipping has announced its decision to halt all trade with Russia after one of its vessels, the Mersin, was reportedly damaged in a suspected Ukrainian attack. The incident occurred off the coast of Senegal, where the Mersin experienced flooding in the engine room due to four 'external explosions.' The crew was safely rescued by the Senegalese Navy. The attack on the Mersin coincided with Ukrainian drone strikes on two other tankers, Kairos and Virat, in the Black Sea, both linked to the Russian energy trade. Although Ukraine claimed responsibility for the strikes on Kairos and Virat, it did not claim the attack on Mersin. Besiktas Shipping, which has been in the tanker business for six decades, stated that the increasing regional security risks have made it untenable to continue operations involving Russian interests.