Container Vessel Aurelia Diverts to Samsun After Drone Attack in Black Sea
Jan 20, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Instagram/shipspotter_hayriyay

The container ship Aurelia has taken refuge in the Turkish port of Samsun after being targeted in a drone attack while en route from Russia.

According to maritime tracking reporting, the vessel was attacked by a drone shortly after departing Novorossiysk, Russia, when it was approximately 80–90 nautical miles offshore. The assault caused damage to several containers aboard, though the 16-member crew sustained no injuries.

Following the incident, the ship continued to Samsun, arriving on January 18. Local authorities and port operators have since unloaded the damaged containers, and the vessel is undergoing a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the impact.

The Cameroon-flagged Aurelia, built in 1998, measures about 100 meters in length and operates primarily as a container carrier. The circumstances and responsibility surrounding the drone attack remain under review by the relevant maritime and security authorities.


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