In a recent article by former Turkish diplomat and foreign policy expert Omer Murat, published in Kronos 36 News, it is reported that a Russian warship fired upon a Turkish commercial vessel, Şükrü Okan, located just 60 kilometers off the coast of Istanbul, near Turkish territorial waters.
In a recent incident, a Russian warship fired upon a Turkish commercial vessel, Şükrü Okan, located just 60 kilometers off the coast of Istanbul, near Turkish territorial waters. Russian troops subsequently boarded the ship for an inspection. This event is being viewed as a clear warning from Russia to Turkey and has garnered international attention.
This incident is part of a series of actions between Russia and Turkey. Turkish President Erdoğan has been taking steps to mend relations with Western nations, especially in light of economic challenges facing Turkey. In response, Russia has taken measures such as withdrawing from a grain deal and targeting a factory associated with a Turkish company that produces engines for drones.
Analysts suggest that these actions are symbolic warnings from Russia. The incident involving the Şükrü Okan ship appears to be the third warning. Russia seems to be signaling its desire to keep Turkey in check rather than completely sever ties, with the goal of maintaining a certain level of tension to showcase its influence.
The Russian Defense Ministry released an official statement and video footage of the incident, showing the Turkish crew in a state of fear during the inspection. Surprisingly, the Turkish government did not immediately respond, raising questions among independent experts.
When the Turkish government did finally respond, it claimed that reports of the incident were disinformation and manipulation, contradicting the evidence provided by Russia through video footage.
In conclusion, tensions between Russia and Turkey persist, with Russia using symbolic warnings to keep Turkey in check. President Erdoğan is trying to navigate this situation delicately, but economic challenges and previous decisions, such as the purchase of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia, have left Turkey in a challenging position in its dealings with Russia. The consequences of foreign policy missteps can have long-lasting and challenging effects.
