In a Friday night assault on the Ukrainian port of Odesa, three Turkish‑owned ships were damaged, prompting President Erdogan to warn that the Black Sea must remain a zone of maritime safety, not combat.
Erdogan’s remarks on Black Sea safety
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the Black Sea should not be viewed as a battlefield and that peace is close. He urged that the region should chart a course toward peace, warning that no benefit would arise for Russia or Ukraine if the Sea became a warzone.
Russian assault on Ukrainian ports
On Friday, Russian forces attacked two Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, damaging a total of three ships owned by Turkish companies. The attack occurred a few hours after President Erdoğan’s meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Ashgabat.
Turkish shipping company confirms damages
Cenk Denizcilik, a Turkish maritime services provider, confirmed that its cargo vessel CENK T was hit and destroyed during the Odesa strike. The ship was sailing between Karasu, Turkey, and Odesa when a fire broke out after the attack.
Turkish Foreign Ministry statement
The ministry noted that a foreign‑flagged ship owned by a Turkish company suffered damage and that all crew and truck drivers aboard were evacuated with no Turkish nationals injured. It reiterated the need to cease attacks threatening maritime security and infrastructure.
Call for rapid diplomatic resolution
Turkish officials stressed the urgency of ending hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, calling for an agreement that would halt attacks on maritime safety and energy and port infrastructure to prevent further escalation on the Black Sea.