Last week, Russia ramped up military actions in the Black Sea by attacking Ukrainian ports and commercial vessels - further complicating maritime trade routes amidst ongoing hostilities.
On December 12th, there was a cargo ship fire near Chornomorsk.
Russian naval strikes hit Chornomorsk, an important Black Sea port located near Ukraine Odesa region on December 12, 2025 and ignited flames onboard a civilian cargo vessel docked. Although no crewmembers were reported injured due to this event, Ukrainian authorities confirmed no crew deaths while this event marked an increase in maritime targeting.
Reports indicated at least three Turkish-owned ships were damaged in attacks against Ukrainian ports by strikes conducted by Jiren drones, prompting international concerns over neutral shipping safety. Footage showed the Jiren drone striking one cargo ship near Odesa carrying generators with direct impact and subsequent fire.
Drone Strike At Chornomorsk Harbor
Another strike occurred inside Chornomorsk Port when a Giron 2 drone landed on one of the ships within its protected port areas, demonstrating precision targeting capabilities extending into protected ports. Attacks continued against both maritime targets as well as mainland targets throughout Odesa region during the night.
Additional footage from December 14 showed Jiren strikes on Odesa infrastructure that caused direct hits and secondary fires, according to Russian sources; these may have been reprisals for attacks by Ukrainians against Russian cargo ships; though official statements remained limited.
Vegetable Oil Spill at Pivdennyi Port
Massive Russian attacks against Pivdennyi port in Odesa region resulted in a vegetable oil spill into the Black Sea, according to Ukraine Sea Ports Authority (USPA). Strikes continued for two days, hindering containment efforts due to air raid alerts. Specialists partially deployed boom barriers between alerts before full deployment and pollution collection once stability had been achieved.
Russia struck Odesa port with drones again on December 23, damaging a civilian ship transporting Ukrainian soybeans, further disrupting environmental and logistical operations in the area.
Broader Implications for Maritime Trade
These attacks bolster ongoing campaigns against Ukraine energy infrastructure and ports ahead of winter, using Caliber and Kinsel missiles allegedly as retaliation - coinciding with Ukrainian actions on Russian shipping, which led to direct conflict zones along maritime logistics chains.
Neutral ships face increased risks, with damaged Turkish and Lebanese ships serving as reminders for commercial operators of vulnerabilities within their commercial operations. Port operations continue to experience difficulties that disrupt grain, oil and general cargo flows that underpin regional trade.