News|Russia-Ukraine warRussia damages Turkish-owned vessels in attack on Ukrainian portsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian attacks ‘had no … military purpose whatsoever’.
On Fri, Dec 12, 2025, Russian military forces conducted attacks on Ukrainian ports located in Chornomorsk and Odesa, resulting in damage to three vessels owned by Turkish companies. These incidents occurred in Ukraine's southwestern Odesa region on the…
On Fri, Dec 12, 2025, Russian military forces conducted attacks on Ukrainian ports located in Chornomorsk and Odesa, resulting in damage to three vessels owned by Turkish companies. These incidents occurred in Ukraine's southwestern Odesa region on the Black Sea. According to reports from Ukrainian authorities, one of the damaged ships was transporting food supplies.
The ship identified as the Panama-flagged Cenk T, owned by Cenk Shipping, was attacked around 4pm local time (14:00 GMT). The vessel sustained limited damage, and no casualties were reported among the crew members. The attack was confirmed by Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated there were no injured Turkish citizens.
Additionally, an employee of a private company suffered injuries in a separate assault on the Odesa port, where a cargo loader also incurred damage. Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Oleksii Kuleba, confirmed that drones and ballistic missiles were used in these port strikes, targeting civilian logistics and commercial shipping operations.
Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing concerns about the implications of these attacks on maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. The statement emphasized the necessity for arrangements to prevent further escalation in the region, particularly in relation to attacks on navigational safety and port infrastructure.
On Fri, Dec 12, 2025, Russian military forces conducted attacks on Ukrainian ports located in Chornomorsk and Odesa, resulting in damage to three vessels owned by Turkish companies.
In a diplomatic meeting in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, advocating for calm in the Black Sea. Erdogan proposed a limited ceasefire for energy facilities and ports to enhance regional security.
The Odesa region's three major Black Sea ports serve as a critical economic artery for Ukraine. The recent attacks align with escalating tensions in the region, following threats from Russian President Putin to retaliate against Ukraine for its maritime drone attacks on Russian tankers. These tankers, reportedly used to bypass oil sanctions, are considered a primary financial resource for Russia's ongoing military operations.
Ukraine has been actively targeting Russian revenues by expanding its military actions beyond the Black Sea, including strikes on significant oil infrastructure in the Caspian Sea.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
