Romania blames Russia as Black Sea drone attack sinks cargo ship off Constanța

Romania has blamed Russia after a drone strike sank the Comoros-flagged cargo ship Khoryv off its Black Sea coast, in an incident that killed one sailor and left three others missing. The vessel was hit about 13 nautical miles, or 24 kilometres, from Constanța, just outside Romania's territorial waters. The attack is the latest in a series of drone strikes on commercial shipping near the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria.

Romanian authorities said the ship sent a distress signal at about 10am local time on Friday, prompting a rescue operation in difficult conditions. Nine sailors were rescued and one body was recovered during the search, while poor weather and low visibility complicated the response. The crew of 13 included Ukrainian and Azerbaijani sailors, and the vessel had departed Turkey on Wednesday before heading for Sulina port.

The incident has added to concern over the safety of shipping in the western Black Sea, where commercial routes have become more exposed during Russia's war in Ukraine. The Danube-linked Sulina route is an important channel for Ukrainian exports after repeated attacks on Ukraine's own Black Sea ports. Romanian officials said the Khoryv was struck by a drone, and video released by the authorities showed the vessel sinking with only part of the hull still visible above the water.

The attack also comes amid calls from Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria for NATO to fast-track additional surveillance capabilities to protect commercial shipping. NATO said on Tuesday that it would send more maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones to the Black Sea. Romanian and European officials have blamed Russia for the strike, and President Nicusor Dan described it as a new example of the consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

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The wider pattern is significant because at least seven cargo ships have been hit in the past two weeks, with 30 sailors reported killed or missing, according to the supplied report. That has raised fears of escalation in a maritime area that is vital for trade, energy flows and grain exports. For Romania, the incident underlines the vulnerability of waters close to a NATO member's coast and the pressure on coastal surveillance and rescue systems.

What remains unclear is the full sequence of events that led to the sinking and whether any further survivors will be found. Authorities have not provided a detailed technical assessment of the drone strike, and the search for the three missing crew members is continuing. The case is likely to keep attention on Black Sea security, the protection of civilian shipping and the next steps in regional and NATO monitoring efforts.

Romania has launched a rescue operation in the Black Sea after a vessel sent a distress signal about 13 miles from Constanța. Officials said the ship, identified as the Khoryv, reported being struck by drones before the emergency call. The incident took place on Friday and has left one person dead, three crew members missing and nine others rescued alive.

The Romanian Naval Authority said rescue vessels recovered nine people alive and one body from the water. Thirteen sailors were on board, including crew members from Ukraine and Azerbaijan. The vessel is reported to have sunk, according to the same account.

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Adverse weather conditions and reduced visibility prevented a helicopter rescue operation, limiting the response at sea. The incident adds to a series of Black Sea attacks in recent weeks involving ships off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria. Those waters are a key route for commercial shipping and have become more exposed as the wider regional conflict has affected maritime security.

Any strike on a civilian vessel in the area raises immediate concerns about the safety of crews, shipping lanes and rescue operations. Romania, which borders the western Black Sea, has been monitoring spillover risks from the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine since the start of the war. The presence of drones in the area has increased concern among coastal states and shipping operators, particularly when attacks are reported close to territorial waters and major ports.

The latest case also highlights the difficulty of carrying out search and rescue work in poor weather conditions. The Khoryv incident is part of a broader pattern of maritime disruption in the Black Sea, where drone attacks have been reported against vessels in recent weeks. The nationality of the crew underscores the international nature of shipping in the region, with sailors from Ukraine and Azerbaijan among those on board.

For Romania, the event is likely to renew attention on coastal surveillance, emergency readiness and coordination with neighbouring states. What remains unclear is who carried out the drone strike and whether the vessel was targeted deliberately or caught in wider hostilities. Authorities have not yet said what caused the sinking beyond the reported drone strike, and the search for the three missing crew members is continuing.

Further updates are likely to focus on the fate of the missing sailors, the condition of the recovered survivors and any assessment of the attack itself.

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