A Turkish-flagged car ferry, the Cenk T, sustained damage from a strike at Ukraine's Chornomorsk port on Friday. The incident occurred at approximately 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT) shortly after the vessel docked.
Incident Details
- A large fire erupted on the ferry's forward section.
- Cenk Denizcilik, the company operating the Cenk T on the Karasu-Odesa route, confirmed the vessel was carrying essential food supplies at the time of the strike.
- Emergency response measures were initiated by the crew, port fire brigade, and assisting tugboats.
- No casualties or injuries among the crew have been reported.
Attribution and Context
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attributed the strike to Russia, stating the civilian vessel "could not have any military meaning." Russia has not issued a statement regarding the incident.
The strike occurred hours after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a limited ceasefire for energy facilities and ports. Russia has consistently rejected calls for a broader ceasefire.
This event takes place amid Moscow's previous threats to sever Ukraine's access to the sea. These threats followed Ukrainian maritime drone attacks on Russian "shadow fleet" tankers, which are reportedly used for oil exports and contribute to funding the ongoing conflict.
International Response
Turkey's foreign ministry emphasized the need for an agreement to ensure shipping security and halt attacks on energy and port infrastructure to prevent further escalation in the Black Sea. The ministry reiterated the importance of an urgent end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Turkey has maintained diplomatic relations with both nations since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Turkey also controls the Bosphorus Strait, a critical waterway for transporting Ukrainian grain and Russian oil.