Russia strikes civilian ship at Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk, wounds crew member

Date: 15 January 2026
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Russian troops launched a ballistic missile attack on a pier in the Port of Chornomorsk, where a civilian vessel under the Maltese flag was docked, according to the Minister of Communities and Territories Development, Oleksii Kuleba.

He reported that one crew member was injured and is currently receiving the necessary medical assistance.

A large dark-hulled naval or cargo vessel displays extensive damage with numerous visible impact marks across its metal surface, moored at a port with calm waters and flags visible on the deck. The ship's weathered exterior shows significant deterioration with rust stains and multiple circular penetration marks scattered across its hull plating. Photo credit: Oleksii Kuleba

“The vessel was preparing to transport containerized cargo. As a result of the strike, three containers were damaged, and an oil leak occurred. Boom barriers are being installed to contain the impact,” the minister informed.

Kuleba emphasized that this is yet another act of Russian terror against civilian port infrastructure, international trade, and maritime security.

A red shipping container lies severely damaged on rough terrain at a container yard, with its side crushed inward. Behind it, stacks of multicolored containers from various shipping companies including Maersk and Hamburg Süd create a backdrop of international cargo infrastructure. Photo credit: Oleksii Kuleba

On January 8, State Enterprise “Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority” reported that over the course of the year, the intensity of strikes on port infrastructure has increased significantly: while 36 attacks were recorded in 2024, their number rose to 96 in 2025. In 2025 alone, 325 port infrastructure objects were damaged.

Earlier, ZMINA reported that Russians killed two people and injured at least five others as a result of a combined missile and drone strike on the ports of Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi in the Odesa Oblast in the afternoon of January 7, 2026.

A Russian military strike on a plant in Dnipro owned by the U.S. company Bunge on January 5, 2026, which produces sunflowers.

A massive combined Russian attack on Ukrainian regions on the night of November 14, 2025, caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure. Debris from an Iskander missile damaged the Azerbaijani embassy. Azerbaijan subsequently summoned the Russian ambassador following the impact on its embassy grounds in Kyiv.

On December 14, 2025, the Naval Forces of Ukraine reported that Russia carried out an attack on a civilian vessel on December 13, 2025, transporting Ukrainian sunflower oil to Egypt.

On the night of December 13, Russians conducted a massive combined attack with attack drones and missiles on Odesa. Authorities reported damage to civilian objects, energy, and industrial infrastructure.

On the evening of December 12, Russia struck Odesa and the region with ballistic missiles and drones. As a result of the attack, a civilian vessel in the port of Chornomorsk was damaged, and one person was injured. The vessel belongs to a Turkish company. There was also damage to civilian and port infrastructure.

You may also want to read: Africa faces vulnerabilities from Russia’s war on Ukraine

Earlier, Vitaliy Koval, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, told Ukrinform that approximately 60% of Ukraine’s export revenue is provided by farmers and agricultural processors, and Ukrainian food supports 400 million people worldwide.

He said that farmers in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and other regions, who frequently endure enemy shelling, are producing vast amounts of crops and playing a crucial role in ensuring international food security.

Ukrainian experts point out that countries including ChinaNorth KoreaHungarySlovakiaIran, and Brazil assist Moscow in killing Ukrainians in its war against Ukraine by funding the Russian budget through trade. 

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