Turkish-owned ship hit by bomb off coast of Odessa, no casualties

A Turkish-owned ship has been damaged by a bomb off the coast of Odessa as the Russian invasion of Ukraine heightens tensions in the Black Sea.

Duvar English - Reuters

A Turkish-owned ship was hit by a bomb off the coast of Ukraine's port city Odessa on Feb. 24, Turkey's Maritime General Directorate said, adding there were no casualties and the ship was safely en route into Romanian waters.

Russia on Feb. 24 launched a ground and air offensive into Ukraine.

"Upon information that the Marshall Islands-flagged Turkish-owned Yasa Jupiter ship was struck by a bomb off the coast of Odessa, it was learned that the ship has no request for help, is en route to Romanian waters, has no casualties and is safe," the authority said on Twitter.

On Feb. 24, Russia announced a military operation against Ukraine, drawing international condemnation and vows of tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Explosions were reported in several Ukrainian provinces, including the capital Kyiv, and tanks crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine.