Turkish-Operated Vessel Damaged in Russian Attack on Ukraine's Chornomorsk Port, Ankara Raises Black Sea Security Concerns

Turkish Vessel Hit in Chornomorsk Port Attack

A vessel operated by a Turkish company sustained damage on Friday, December 12, 2025, following a Russian attack on Ukraine's Chornomorsk Port in the Odesa region. The incident involved the M/V CENK T, a 185-meter Panama-flagged ferry, which was reportedly hit by a ballistic missile and drone attack shortly after docking.

The vessel, operated by Cenk Group (also known as Cenk Shipping or Cenk Denizcilik), was carrying fresh fruits, vegetables, and food supplies from Karasu, Türkiye, when it came under fire around 4 p.m. local time. Images shared on social media depicted the ship engulfed in flames, particularly in its bow section. Emergency response efforts, including firefighting crews from the ship and port, along with tugboats, were deployed to contain the blaze. Initial assessments indicated that the damage was primarily material, with no Turkish citizens harmed and all crew members and truck drivers safely evacuated. However, Ukraine's Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba noted that one employee of a private company was injured in a separate attack on Odesa port.

Ankara Expresses 'Deep Concern' Over Black Sea Security

Türkiye swiftly voiced 'deep concern' over the attack, emphasizing the validity of its previously stated worries regarding maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for an immediate end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and advocating for an arrangement to suspend attacks targeting navigation safety and port infrastructure.

The incident occurred just hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had discussed maritime security directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ankara had previously warned of a 'worrying escalation' in the region, particularly following recent Ukrainian naval drone attacks on Russia-linked tankers in the Black Sea. President Erdogan had also pushed for a 'limited ceasefire' concerning attacks on ports and energy facilities during his talks with Putin.

International Condemnation and Ongoing Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, stating that 'a civilian vessel in the port of Chornomorsk was damaged' and that Russia 'continues its war aimed precisely at destroying normal life in Ukraine.' Ukraine's Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba confirmed the Russian missile strike on civilian port infrastructure in the Odesa region.

The attack on the M/V CENK T underscores the ongoing risks to commercial shipping in the Black Sea, a critical waterway for international trade. The broader conflict continues to impact regional stability, prompting calls from international bodies and nations like Türkiye for de-escalation and the protection of civilian infrastructure and maritime routes.