Turkish Shipowner And Crew File ICC Complaint Against Ukraine Over Black Sea Drone Strike

A Turkish shipowner, 12 crew members of the cargo ship Reyhan Sari and the family of a sailor killed in a drone attack have filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC), lawyers said on Wednesday.

They want the court to investigate the attack as a possible war crime and crime against humanity.

The Turkish-flagged bulk carrier was hit by drones off the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. The attack killed 54-year-old Savas Cakar, who worked in the engine room, and injured two other crew members, according to the complaint.

The ship is owned by Turkish maritime company T&O Denizcilik. The company joined the crew and Cakar’s family in filing the complaint.

The complaint says the Reyhan Sari was carrying wheat meal from Russia’s Tuapse port to Trabzon, Türkiye, when it was attacked on July 22.

Turkish media reports at the time said the ship was carrying coal from Taman, another Russian Black Sea port.

Photos and videos cited in the complaint show heavy damage inside the ship and what appear to be shrapnel marks.

Lawyer Nuri Koray Kurun, who represents the plaintiffs, said there was information and video footage showing that the attack came from Ukraine.

He said videos of the operation and the moment the ship was hit were shared on official social media accounts. He also said technical analysis of the vessel in the footage identified it as the Reyhan Sari.

The complaint was filed with the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICC in The Hague. There is no timeline for the preliminary review.

Ukraine ratified the Rome Statute in 2024 and became a full ICC member on January 1, 2025.

Türkiye summoned Ukraine’s ambassador last month over the strikes.

India also summoned Ukraine’s envoy in July after drones attacked the cargo ship Omorfi, killing an Indian sailor.

Ukraine stepped up attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov over the summer. It said the attacks were aimed at disrupting Russian logistics and targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet.”

Ukraine says the shadow fleet helps Russia get around Western sanctions.

Russia denies operating such a fleet. It has accused Ukraine of attacking civilian vessels and infrastructure.

It has accused Kyiv of targeting civilian trucks, energy facilities and apartment buildings in its long-range drone campaign.

Russia has also increased strikes on Ukrainian energy and port infrastructure. It has targeted vessels it says are carrying military equipment.

Moscow says these attacks are retaliation for Ukrainian strikes. The Kremlin has said Kyiv had “opened a Pandora’s box.”

References: turkiyetoday, islamtimes