A Turkish-owned cargo ship was struck by a Russian ballistic missile at Ukraine's Chornomorsk port on Friday, sparking international condemnation and raising fresh concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
According to the online Turkish news sites, the M/V CENKT, operated by Turkish shipping company Cenk Denizcilik, was hit shortly after docking at the port at approximately 4:00 PM local time. The vessel, which regularly transports trucks along the Karasu-Odesa route, sustained significant damage to its bow section, where a fire broke out following the impact.
Dramatic footage emerged showing the moment of impact, with the cruise missile clearly visible as it approached the vessel. Emergency response teams, including tugboats, port firefighting units, and the ship's own crew, immediately mobilized to combat the blaze, with efforts continuing into the evening hours.In a statement released Thursday evening, Cenk Denizcilik confirmed that no casualties or injuries had been reported. "The damage is currently assessed as material only," the company said, adding that it was cooperating fully with relevant authorities and evaluating the incident under international maritime law frameworks.
The timing of the attack proved particularly striking, occurring while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan for bilateral discussions.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky swiftly condemned the strike, sharing photographs of the damaged vessel on social media. "Today's Russian attack, like many before it, was an action that had no military purpose and could not have one. A civilian ship was damaged at the Chornomorsk port," Zelensky wrote.
The Ukrainian leader characterized the attack as further evidence of Russia's unwillingness to engage seriously with diplomatic opportunities. "This once again proves that the Russians not only refuse to take the current diplomatic opportunity seriously enough but also continue their war aimed at destroying normal life in Ukraine," he added.
Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement expressing concern over the incident and its broader implications for regional security. The ministry noted that the attack on a foreign-flagged vessel owned by a Turkish company highlighted legitimate concerns about the war's expansion across the Black Sea and its impact on maritime security and freedom of navigation.
According to initial reports, crew members and truck drivers aboard the vessel were being evacuated, with no Turkish citizens reported injured in the attack. The Turkish Consulate General in Odesa is closely monitoring developments and providing necessary support to affected citizens, the ministry confirmed.Turkey reiterated its call for an immediate end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the urgent need for arrangements to prevent escalation in the Black Sea. The ministry specifically called for a suspension of attacks targeting energy infrastructure and port facilities on both sides of the conflict.