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Turkish Sailors File ICC Complaint Against Ukraine Drone Attack — AI-generated representative image. A Turkish cargo ship in the Black Sea, illustrating a reported drone attack on a commercial vessel.

Editorial Team

Crew seeks Black Sea investigation into deadly strike on the Reyhan Sari cargo ship that killed one and injured two

The crew of a Turkish cargo ship struck by Ukrainian drones has filed a complaint against Kiev with the International Criminal Court (ICC), seeking an investigation into an attack that killed one sailor and injured two others, lawyers said on Wednesday. The plaintiffs include 12 crew members, the family of the deceased sailor, and the ship's owner.

The vessel, identified as the Reyhan Sari, was reportedly attacked on July 22 while sailing in the Black Sea. The complaint asks the Hague-based court to examine the incident as a possible crime against humanity.

The case marks a significant escalation in legal pressure over Ukraine's expanded campaign against commercial shipping in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It comes amid growing diplomatic friction, with Türkiye and India both having formally protested strikes on civilian cargo vessels in recent months.

The outcome could have broad implications for how attacks on merchant shipping in the conflict are treated under international law, particularly given Ukraine's recent accession to the ICC.

Legal Filing and Allegations

The ICC filing states the vessel was carrying wheat meal from the Russian Black Sea port of Tuapse to Trabzon when it was attacked, although Turkish media reported at the time that it was carrying coal from Taman, another Russian Black Sea port. Photos and videos taken after the attack show extensive internal damage to the ship's compartments and apparent traces of shrapnel, according to the complaint.

Ukraine ratified the ICC's Rome Statute in 2024, becoming a full member of the court on January 1, 2025, which gives the court jurisdiction over alleged crimes involving Ukrainian forces.

Escalating Strikes and Diplomatic Fallout

Türkiye summoned the Ukrainian ambassador last month, formally lodging a protest over strikes on its commercial shipping in the Black Sea. In July, India also summoned Kiev's envoy after drones targeted the cargo vessel Omorfi, killing an Indian sailor.

Ukraine stepped up attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov over the summer in an effort to disrupt Russian logistics and target Russia's supposed shadow fleet, which Kiev alleges helps Moscow circumvent Western sanctions. Russia has denied operating a shadow fleet and accused Ukraine of striking purely civilian targets, including trucks, energy facilities, and apartment buildings as part of its long-range drone campaign.

Russia responded by intensifying strikes on Ukraine's energy and port infrastructure, as well as vessels it says are carrying military equipment. The Kremlin has described the operations as retaliatory, arguing that Kiev has opened Pandora's box.

Lawyer's Statements and Video Evidence

Nuri Koray Kurun, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said there is concrete information and footage showing that the attack originated from Ukraine, adding that the strike was consistent with Ukraine's stated campaign of targeting shipping in the area.

"Videos of this operation, as well as footage showing the moment our ship was hit, were openly shared on official social media accounts," Kurun said. "Our technical analysis of the vessel shown being struck in the video established that it was the Reyhan Sari."

What Happens Next

The plaintiffs have formally asked the ICC to investigate the attack as a possible crime against humanity. The court has not yet announced whether it will open a formal inquiry, and no response from Ukrainian authorities regarding the specific filing has been confirmed.