Türkiye voiced concern Friday after a Turkish-owned civilian vessel was struck by a missile at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port near Odesa, causing damage but no casualties, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Officials said the crew and drivers were safely evacuated, with no Turkish citizens injured. Türkiye’s consulate general in Odesa is monitoring the situation and providing support.
Ankara reiterated worries about the Russia‑Ukraine conflict spilling into the Black Sea and urged measures to prevent escalation, including halting attacks on navigation safety, energy facilities and port infrastructure.
The vessel, the M/V CENK T operated by Cenk Denizcilik, was hit around 1600 local time (1400 GMT) after berthing at Chornomorsk terminal. The ship, which runs the Karasu‑Odesa route carrying trucks, sustained a fire in its bow section that was quickly extinguished by tugboats, port firefighters and crew. Damage was limited to material losses, the company said.
Ukrainian authorities blamed Russia for the strike. President Volodymyr Zelensky shared photos of the blaze, accusing Moscow of continuing to “destroy normal life in Ukraine.”
There was no immediate response from the Russian side.