Turkish Ferry Targeted in Russian Airstrike Amid Ukraine Conflict

A Turkish-owned ship was damaged by a Russian airstrike at a port in Ukraine’s Black Sea area of Odesa, as reported by both Kyiv and the vessel’s operator on Friday.

This attack has reignited calls from Ankara to cease assaults on port facilities, coming just hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

«Russia carried out a missile strike on civilian port infrastructure in the Odesa region,» stated Ukraine’s Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba on Telegram, noting that while a Turkish ferry sustained damage, there were no reported injuries.

Cenk Shipping, the Turkish maritime company, released a statement indicating that its vessel, which was fully loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables, and food supplies from the Karasu-Odesa route, was attacked from the air at 16:00 local time shortly after it had arrived at Chornomorsk port.

Social media images captured the blue-and-white ferry engulfed in flames.

The ship, flying under the Panama flag, measures 185 meters in length, according to information available on the company’s website.

Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that «a civilian vessel in the port of Chornomorsk was damaged,» without specifying which ship was involved.

«This incident further demonstrates that the Russians are not only disregarding the current opportunities for serious diplomacy, but are also persisting in their campaign to undermine normal life in Ukraine,» he expressed on social media.

The attack occurred amid Turkey’s recent warnings of a «concerning escalation» in the Black Sea, following Ukraine’s announcements of naval drone strikes against Russian-linked tankers in the region.

During conversations with Putin on Friday, Erdoğan had advocated for a «limited ceasefire» regarding attacks on port and energy installations in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

In response to the strike, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry reiterated: «We once again stress the urgent need to conclude the war between Russia and Ukraine, and we emphasize the necessity for measures to avert escalation in the Black Sea, which includes ensuring maritime safety and halting attacks on energy and port infrastructures.»