Turkey holds Russian cargo ships in Black Sea

The ongoing tension between Turkey and Russia which began after the shooting down of a Russian bomber by Turkish military planes near the Syrian border has spread from air to sea.

Four Russian-flagged cargo ships were detained by Turkish authorities in response to Russia's holding five Turkish cargo ships in Novorossiysk port.

The Turkish naval authority detained four Russia-owned cargo ships in a Black Sea port of Samsun city as a retaliation for the detention of five Turkish ships in Russian waters.

According to a report published by Sea News Agency (Deniz Haber Ajansı), the ships were held up after Port State Control (PSC) by Turkish authorities.

The Turkish naval authority's move came days after Russian Maritime Administration inspectors detained five vessels sailing under the Turkish flag after PSC test in Novorossiysk port.