Ukraine’s war against the Russian shadow fleet is also affecting other countries, including Iran and Turkey. Most recently, three crew members aboard the Turkish vessel Nadeschda were injured when a swarm of drones attacked the ship in the Black Sea. The vessel was 37 kilometres from the Russian port city of Novorossiysk. The Russian Navy transported the 23-member crew to Novorossiysk.

Turkish authorities have remained silent about the identity of the attacker, but Turkish media report that the drones were Ukrainian. They base this on statements made by the ship’s captain.

Ukraine has expanded the geographical scope of its attacks on shipping.

But, as the case of the Iranian cargo ship demonstrates, this carries its own risks. Iran vowed revenge.

Iran has problems of its own to deal with. It continues to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. No other party is attacking maritime traffic there.

A cargo ship has reported being struck by an unidentified projectile near the Strait of Hormuz, British authorities said.

The vessel was approximately 20 nautical miles north-east of the Omani port city of Khasab when it reported the attack.

This was announced overnight on Tuesday by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the British Navy’s maritime security service.

A day earlier, another tanker in the same area was also attacked, but both the vessel and its crew were safe.

Vessels operating in the area are being urged to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, the British service said in a statement. (NTB)