Russian forces struck a Turkish-owned civilian vessel carrying corn in neutral waters with two drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported the attack.
According to News.ro, citing Romanian maritime authorities, the vessel was the Royad Mammadov, which was sailing from the Ukrainian port of Izmail to Italy with a cargo of grain. The vessel sank.
“A horrific strike by two Russian drones on a civilian vessel in neutral waters carrying corn and owned by Türkiye. Azerbaijani and Indian citizens were on board. As of now, unfortunately, we know that the ship’s captain was killed. My condolences,” he said.
The attack took place outside Romanian territorial waters. According to the Romanian Coast Guard, the vessel was approximately nine nautical miles from the Pescăruș offshore platform.
A fire broke out aboard the Royad Mammadov following the drone strike, and the vessel subsequently sank.
Romania’s Agency for Saving Life at Sea (ARSVOM) dispatched three vessels to the area for the search-and-rescue operation. The Coast Guard also joined the operation.
“Ukraine has repeatedly proposed concrete steps to de-escalate the situation and ensure security in the Black Sea. There have also been relevant proposals from third countries. But Russia consistently chooses terror and sinking civilian vessels instead of normal maritime navigation. Pressure is needed to restore global food security. And everyone who is genuinely interested in this must help,” he added.
