A particularly worrying development for shipping—and especially for Greek shipowners operating in Ukrainian ports—occurred on the night of November 16-17 in the port of Izmail on the Danube, when a Russian drone struck a Turkish tanker carrying liquefied natural gas.
According to expert analyst Andrii Klymenko, the attack was not accidental but targeted with the aim of terrifying shipowners who continue to operate in the Ukrainian maritime corridors and, especially, those with a large share of the traffic, such as the Turks and the Greeks.
Greek shipping in the frame
Klymenko points out that Moscow was fully aware that a Turkish tanker was docked at the port of Izmail, one of the most susceptible targets due to its cargo. AIS sensors in the Danube ports remain active, unlike the ports of Odesa, where they are often deactivated for security reasons. This means that Russia had a complete picture of what it was hitting.
The attack, according to the Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies, was a clear "message" to Turkey: "Do not go to Ukrainian ports – you are boosting Ukraine's budget and thus its ability to fight Russia."
However, a crucial dimension for Greece emerges here. While the Turks account for 40% of the ships visiting Ukraine, the Greeks account for 20%, a fact that makes the Greek fleet the second most active force in the Black Sea corridor.
In total, in the first 10 months of 2025, 2,103 commercial vessels (meaning 420 Greek ships) passed through the ports of Odesa, Chernomorsk, and Pivdenni. A record 266 arrivals were recorded in October 2025 alone, despite almost daily Russian attacks.
Consequently, if Moscow seeks to intimidate Turkish shipping, the same message now concerns Greece, as it is the second-largest carrier of cargo to and from Ukraine.
Risk for Greek ships
According to Klymenko's analysis, Russian attacks on the Ukrainian ports on the Danube are constantly intensifying, as Russia wants to prevent these specific ports from serving as "reserves" for Odesa.
The trend indicates: more frequent hits on Izmail and Reni, more targets on commercial vessels, and a greater intention to "intimidate" ships from third countries.
For the Greek fleet, which has a strong presence in the transport of grain, fuel, and raw materials in the region, this constitutes an upgraded threat.
Greece has not officially received a warning. However, the targeting of the Turkish tanker serves as a clear indication that Moscow is ready to hit any foreign ship if it serves Ukrainian interests. In other words, Russia will escalate the attacks. Moscow considers third-country shipping to be "financing Ukraine's war." Therefore, it will continue to target foreign vessels.
The Greek fleet is in the second most "dangerous" position after Turkey. With 20% of the traffic, Greek shipowners have a strong presence, and are therefore exposed.
The Danube ports are no longer safe alternatives to Odesa. On the contrary, they are increasingly becoming a field for attacks.
The attack on Izmail is not an isolated incident; it is part of a new Russian strategy that directly targets the commercial fleet of countries cooperating with Ukraine.
For Greece—the world's largest commercial fleet—this development requires: enhanced information and warnings to Greek-owned ships, assessment of the safety of routes to the Danube and Odesa, and closer cooperation with the EU, NATO, and Ukraine for maritime protection.
Moscow's message does not only concern Turkey. It also concerns Greece.
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών