UPDATE - Zelenskyy confirms damage to civilian vessel in Russian missile strike on Odesa

UPDATES WITH CONFIRMATION BY ZELENSKYY; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Friday that a civilian vessel was damaged in the port of Chornomorsk during a Russian missile strike on the Odesa region.

"Today’s Russian strike, like many others before it, had no – and could have no – military purpose whatsoever," Zelenskyy said in a statement on Telegram.

He noted that a civilian vessel in the port of Chornomorsk was damaged, calling it proof that Russia refuses to take "the current opportunity for diplomacy seriously enough."

Zelenskyy also said there was a Russian attack on Odesa’s energy infrastructure the previous night.

"At one point, we talked about the situation in this city and the people of Odesa with (US) President (Donald) Trump," he added, referring to previous discussions with the US president.

Russia launched a ballistic missile and drone attack against Ukraine’s Odesa region, triggering explosions in multiple locations and prompting air defense activity, according to Ukrainian media reports on Friday.

Explosions were heard in the port city of Chornomorsk and several districts of Odesa after targets were detected coming from the Black Sea, the local news service Dumskaya reported, citing correspondents on the ground.

Local officials warned residents to remain in safe places, saying enemy drones were still operating over the city and the wider region. Additional explosions were reported later, indicating the attack was ongoing.

Ukrainian media later reported that a civilian container ship caught fire at the Odesa port following the shelling, although authorities have not yet released official details on damage or casualties.

The Odesa region is a key hub for Ukraine’s maritime trade and grain exports.

Russian authorities have not responded to the reports, and independent verification is difficult due to the ongoing conflicts.