Turkish Car Ferry Struck in Ukrainian Port Attack

Sat Dec 13 2025 21:59:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A Turkish car ferry was damaged by a missile strike in the port of Odesa, Ukraine, prompting accusations against Russia for the attack. The incident highlights ongoing tensions amid discussions for a ceasefire.

A Turkish car ferry, the Cenk T, suffered significant damage from an air strike at the Chornomorsk port in Odesa. The vessel was reportedly hit just after docking, leading to a large fire on board. Ukrainian President Zelensky blamed Russia for the attack, which occurred shortly after talks for a potential ceasefire between Turkey and Russia. Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the need for security guarantees to ensure safe shipping amid escalating attacks on port infrastructure. The incident reflects rising hostilities and ongoing military actions in the region.

A large fire broke out on a Turkish car ferry anchored at the Ukrainian port city of Odesa after it was hit in a strike on Friday.

The company that operates the Cenk T confirmed the attack occurred at 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT) shortly after it docked at the Chornomorsk port.

Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelensky has blamed the strike on Russia, which has not commented.

The attack came hours after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Russian President Vladimir Putin that a limited ceasefire for energy facilities and ports could be beneficial. Russia has resisted all calls for a ceasefire.

Moscow has threatened to cut 'Ukraine off from the sea' in response to Kyiv's maritime drone attacks on Russia's 'shadow fleet' tankers thought to be used to export oil - and a main source for funding the ongoing war.

Cenk Denizcilik, the company that owns the cargo ship operating on the Karasu-Odesa route, stated that it was carrying 'essential food supplies' when it was hit shortly after anchoring.

Emergency response measures were swiftly enacted, with the vessel's crew, port fire brigade, and assisting tugboats addressing the blaze. The company reported no casualties or injuries among the crew.

Video footage shared by President Zelensky on his Telegram account displayed crews attempting to extinguish a large fire on the vessel.

While condemning a series of missile attacks Russia had conducted on the Odesa region the night before, the Ukrainian leader stated that the targeting of the civilian Turkish ship had no military purpose.

Turkey's foreign ministry sought an agreement ensuring the security of shipping and a cessation of attacks against energy and port infrastructure to prevent escalation in the Black Sea, emphasizing the urgency of ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Turkey has attempted to maintain its relations with both nations since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It also regulates the Bosphorus Strait, critical for transporting Ukrainian grain and Russian oil across the Mediterranean.

Later that evening, Russia launched additional strikes on Odesa, damaging port infrastructure and cutting electricity to thousands of homes.

This attack underscores the persistent threat to civilian infrastructure amid ongoing military hostilities, marking a critical juncture in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.