A Turkish-flagged cargo vessel, the Cenk T, was struck by a missile while docked at the Chornomorsk port near Odesa, Ukraine, on Friday afternoon, triggering a significant fire aboard the civilian ship. The attack occurred at precisely 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT), shortly after the ferry had completed its docking procedures.
Operating company Cenk Denizcilik confirmed the vessel, which plies the Karasu-Odesa route across the Black Sea, was carrying essential food supplies when it was hit. Emergency protocols were immediately activated, with the ship’s crew, port fire services, and assisting tugboats combating a major blaze that erupted on the vessel’s forward section. Preliminary reports indicate no casualties among the crew members.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly attributed the strike to Russian forces, sharing video footage on his Telegram account that showed emergency crews desperately fighting the intense fire. Zelensky condemned the attack as militarily meaningless, emphasizing the vessel’s civilian status and humanitarian cargo. Moscow has maintained silence regarding the incident.
The maritime assault occurred mere hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed a limited ceasefire covering energy infrastructure and port facilities during discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This diplomatic overture marks Turkey’s continued effort to mediate between the warring nations, a role it has maintained since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Ankara’s Foreign Ministry subsequently issued a statement urging an immediate agreement to guarantee shipping security and suspend attacks against critical infrastructure, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent further escalation in the strategically vital Black Sea region. Turkey’s geopolitical significance is amplified by its control of the Bosphorus Strait, the crucial maritime passage for Ukrainian grain and Russian oil exports to Mediterranean markets.
This incident represents a significant escalation in Moscow’s campaign to isolate Ukraine from maritime commerce, coming in response to Kyiv’s ongoing drone attacks against Russian oil tankers operating as part of the so-called ‘shadow fleet’—a primary source of funding for Russia’s military operations.