Russia Strikes Ukrainian Ports, Damages Turkish-Owned Vessels Amid Black Sea Tensions

Russia attacked two Ukrainian ports on Friday, damaging three Turkish-owned commercial vessels, including a ship carrying food supplies, Ukrainian officials and a ship owner said. The strikes came days after Moscow warned it could cut Ukraine “off from the sea,” further escalating tensions in the Black Sea.

The attacks followed a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin last week vowing retaliation for Ukraine’s maritime drone strikes on Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers—vessels Kyiv says are crucial to financing Russia’s nearly four-year-long war.

Friday’s assault occurred just hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Putin that a limited ceasefire covering energy facilities and ports could help ease tensions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared images showing a large fire aboard a vessel docked at the port of Chornomorsk in the Odesa region, with firefighters battling the blaze.

“This once again proves that Russia is not serious about diplomacy and continues this war to destroy normal life in Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

The ship’s owner, Cenk Shipping, confirmed that its vessel, Cenk T, was attacked at around 4 p.m. local time (1400 GMT). The company said there were no casualties and the damage was limited.

Reuters verified footage of the attack posted on X, matching the vessel, port cranes, and surrounding buildings with satellite imagery of Chornomorsk. Fabian Hinz, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the weapon used appeared to be a Russian Geran-2 loitering drone.

Russia’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said the strikes targeted civilian logistics and commercial shipping, adding that Russia attacked the ports using drones and ballistic missiles. He said one employee of a private company was injured in a separate strike on Odesa port, where a cargo loader was also damaged.

Ukraine’s navy spokesperson told Reuters that all three damaged vessels were Turkish-owned but declined to provide further details.

Turkiye’s foreign ministry confirmed damage at Chornomorsk port and said there were no reports of injuries among Turkish citizens. It reiterated calls for an arrangement to prevent escalation in the Black Sea by suspending attacks on navigation safety, energy facilities, and port infrastructure.

The three major Black Sea ports in Ukraine’s Odesa region are vital to the country’s economy, serving as a key export route for agricultural commodities.

In recent days, Ukraine has intensified pressure on Russia beyond the Black Sea, launching strikes in the Caspian Sea against vessels allegedly transporting military equipment and targeting a major oil rig, according to Ukrainian sources.