Türkiye reacts sharply after strike on its ship in Ukraine's Chornomorsk port
Photo: Russia strikes ships in Odesa region ports with ballistic missiles (t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official)
During the attack on the port of Chornomorsk on December 12, a vessel belonging to a Turkish company was hit. Türkiye has called for an immediate de-escalation, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The ministry stressed that the incident demonstrates the validity of Ankara's earlier warnings about the risks to maritime navigation amid the expansion of the Russia–Ukraine war into the Black Sea.
According to preliminary information, the crew and truck drivers on board were evacuated promptly. No Turkish citizens were injured. The Turkish Consulate General in Odesa is monitoring the situation and providing the necessary assistance to its nationals.
Ankara urged all sides to de-escalate immediately and emphasized the urgent need for arrangements guaranteeing safe navigation in the Black Sea, as well as an end to attacks on energy and port infrastructure.
Security situation in the Black Sea
Since Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal, Ukrainian ports in the south have repeatedly come under Russian attack, affecting international trade routes and the operations of shipping companies.
Türkiye, as a key Black Sea nation and a mediator in previous agreements, consistently calls for the restoration of stable and safe navigation.
The incident in Chornomorsk is another reminder that escalation at sea has direct consequences for foreign vessels and global supply chains, and that the region remains highly vulnerable amid the war.
As reported earlier, a series of explosions occurred in Odesa and the region on December 12. Russian forces launched a missile strike on the ports of Chornomorsk and Odesa.
It was also reported that Russia once again struck energy infrastructure facilities in the region with drones.
According to the DTEK energy company, one of its substations was damaged. Another energy company's facility in the region was also hit. The strikes caused fires that were quickly extinguished by emergency crews. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
