A Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region damaged a Turkish-flagged cargo ship Friday,renewing international concerns over the safety of vital Black Sea shipping lanes. The attack, which struck a vessel carrying food supplies, occurred just hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding de-escalation in the region. This incident underscores the continued risks to commercial traffic and global food security as the conflict in Ukraine persists.
Jakarta –
A Turkish-flagged cargo ship sustained damage in a Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in the Odesa region of Ukraine on Friday, December 13, 2024, according to Ukrainian officials. The incident has prompted renewed calls from Ankara for an end to attacks targeting port facilities, just hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the issue directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Russia launched a missile attack on civilian port infrastructure in the Odesa region,” Ukraine’s Minister for Restoration Oleksiy Kuleba stated on Telegram, adding that a Turkish ferry was hit but no casualties were reported. The attack underscores the ongoing risks to maritime traffic in the Black Sea, a vital route for global grain exports.
Cenk Shipping, the Turkish maritime company operating the vessel, confirmed in a statement that its ship, carrying a full load of fresh fruit, vegetables, and food supplies, was struck while at berth in the Chornomorsk port around 4:00 PM local time. The vessel was en route from Karasu, Turkey, to Odesa.
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Images circulating on social media depict the blue-and-white ship ablaze. According to company information, the vessel is a 185-meter ferry sailing under the Panamanian flag.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier reported that “a civilian ship in the port of Chornomorsk was damaged,” without initially identifying the vessel. “This once again proves that Russia is not only refusing to seriously consider current diplomatic opportunities, but is continuing a war aimed at destroying normal life in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in a social media post.
The strike comes as Turkey has expressed growing concern over escalating tensions in the Black Sea in recent weeks, following Ukrainian claims of drone attacks against Russian naval vessels and tankers in the area.
During a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin on Friday, December 12, Erdogan called for a “limited ceasefire” concerning attacks on ports and energy facilities in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Following the latest incident, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry stated: “We once again emphasize the importance of ending the war between Russia and Ukraine as soon as possible, and we reiterate the necessity of an agreement to prevent escalation in the Black Sea, including ensuring maritime safety and suspending attacks targeting energy and port infrastructure.”
(rfs/rfs)
