---
title: "Turkey First Threatens 'Legal Measures' Against Ukraine and Russia for Black Sea Vessel Attacks"
description: "Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler has threatened legal measures for the first time against attacks on vessels linked to Ankara, stating he awaits Moscow and Kyiv's response to a proposal to stop Black Sea escalation."
date: 2026-10-28T21:25:17.056Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/turkey-warns-ukraine-russia-black-sea-attacks
tags: [turkey, black-sea, shipping-security, ukraine, russia, drones, grain-export, yasar-guler]
author: "Andrey Kosynko"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Turkey First Threatens 'Legal Measures' Against Ukraine and Russia for Black Sea Vessel Attacks

![Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler making an official statement on Black Sea security.](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/28/turciya-predosteregla-ukrainu-i-rf-ot-atak-v-chernom-more/turciya-predosteregla-ukrainu-i-rf-ot-atak-v-chernom-more-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler stated for the first time that Ankara has the right to take legal measures for strikes on vessels linked to Turkey
- The statement was made in Sofia following a trilateral meeting with Romania and Bulgaria on Black Sea security
- On October 28, the Greek container ship CONTSHIP JET under the Liberian flag was attacked by three drones in Bulgarian waters; all 18 crew members rescued
- Ankara awaits Russia's and Ukraine's response to a proposal to stop attacks and ensure safe grain supplies

On October 28, Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler made an unprecedented statement warning Russia and Ukraine against further attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, and publicly stated for the first time that Ankara reserves the right to take 'legal measures' in the event of strikes on vessels linked to Turkey. The statement was made in Sofia following a trilateral meeting of the defense ministers and military leadership of Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria dedicated to Black Sea security and, according to Ukrainian and international media, represents Ankara's most direct intervention in Black Sea shipping to date.

### Legal Consequences Instead of Diplomatic Notes

Previously, Turkey repeatedly urged both sides of the conflict to cease attacks in the Black Sea, limiting itself to diplomatic statements and protest notes. This time, Güler's tone hardened significantly: the minister explicitly stated that Ankara reserves the right to legal action in response to strikes against vessels flying the Turkish flag or owned by Turkish operators. 'We are monitoring with concern the intense attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and urge the parties to act with common sense, in accordance with the principle of navigation safety in the open sea,' Güler said. According to Reuters, cited by RBC-Ukraine, it is the wording regarding 'legal measures' that distinguishes the current statement from Ankara's previous appeals.

### Ankara's Proposal and Awaiting a Response

Turkey has transmitted a concrete proposal to Russia and Ukraine aimed at halting the escalation of attacks and ensuring the safe transportation of grain from the Black Sea region. Güler emphasized that Ankara expects a response from both sides to this document. The reminder of the grain component of the proposal underscores that for Turkey, Black Sea security is not only a matter of national sovereignty but also of economics: a significant portion of global grain exports passes through Black Sea ports, and instability in the region directly affects supply chains involving Turkish carriers and shipowners.

### Attack on CONTSHIP JET and the Romania Incident

Güler's statement came against the backdrop of a new incident: on October 28, within Bulgaria's maritime jurisdiction, the Greek-owned container ship CONTSHIP JET, sailing under the Liberian flag, was attacked by three drones. All 18 crew members were rescued. According to reports, it was not possible to establish who carried out the attack at the time of the statement. This is not the first such case recently: on October 3, a merchant vessel hit by a drone sank off the coast of Romania, carrying 13 crew members on board. Güler recalled that civilian vessels have repeatedly been targeted by drones and missiles during the war, while drifting mines pose an additional threat to navigation.

### Trilateral Demining Operation and Protection of Underwater Infrastructure

During the same meeting in Sofia, Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria, which are jointly conducting a demining operation in the Black Sea, reaffirmed their agreed stance on the need to focus on protecting critical underwater infrastructure. This indicates that the threat to the region is perceived not only as a risk to the commercial fleet but also as a potential danger to underwater cables, pipelines, and other facilities upon which the energy and digital infrastructure of Black Sea countries depend. The combination of these factors — attacks on vessels, mines, and threats to underwater infrastructure — forms the context in which Ankara appears ready to move from passive appeals to more active tools of pressure, including legal ones.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Турция предостерегла Украину и РФ от атак в Черном море: обещает правовые последствия](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/turechchina-zasteregla-ukrayinu-ta-rf-vid-1793205847.html) - Primary source: Güler's statement, quote on legal measures, CONTSHIP JET incident, sunken vessel near Romania on Oct 23, trilateral meeting.
- [Будут правовые последствия: Турция предостерегла Россию и Украину от атак на коммерческие суда ...](https://www.obozrevatel.com/section-politics-news/news-budut-pravovi-naslidky-turechchyna-zasterehla-rosiyu-i-ukrayinu-vid-atak-na-komertsiyni-sudna-v-chornomu-mori-28-10-2026.html) - Confirms the call to adhere to navigation safety principles and the warning of legal consequences.
- [Турция предостерегла Украину и рф от новых атак на суда в Черном море](https://ukragroconsult.com/ru/news/turcziya-predosteregla-ukrainu-i-rf-ot-novyh-atak-na-suda-v-chernom-more/) - Clarifies the location of the statement (Sofia), grain logistics context, mine threat, and the October 28 attack on CONTSHIP JET.
- [Турция предостерегла Россию и Украину от атак на торговые суда в Чёрном море](https://www.kiprinform.com/news/turciya-predosteregla-rossiyu-i-ukrainu-ot-atak-na-torgovye-suda-v-chernom-more/) - Confirms the wording regarding prosecution and the assessment of the statement as Turkey's most direct intervention.

## FAQ

### What exactly did the Turkish Defense Minister state on October 28?

Yaşar Güler warned Russia and Ukraine against further attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and stated that Ankara reserves the right to take legal measures in case of strikes on ships flying the Turkish flag or owned by Turkish operators.

### Where and in what context was the statement made?

The statement was made in Sofia following a trilateral meeting of defense ministers and military leadership from Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria dedicated to Black Sea security and demining operations.

### What happened to the container ship CONTSHIP JET?

On October 28, the Greek container ship CONTSHIP JET under the Liberian flag was attacked by three drones within Bulgaria's maritime jurisdiction. All 18 crew members were rescued. The perpetrator of the attack was not identified at the time of the statement.

### What proposal did Turkey transmit to Russia and Ukraine?

Ankara handed both sides a proposal aimed at halting the escalation of attacks in the Black Sea and ensuring the safe transportation of grain from the region. Güler stated that Turkey is awaiting a response.