Romania Blames Russia for Drone Strike Sinking Ship Near Its Waters
Romania's president blamed Russia for a drone strike that sank the Comoros-flagged Khoryv near Constanta, killing one sailor and leaving three missing.
The story in focus
Romania's president blamed Russia for a drone strike that sank the Comoros-flagged cargo ship Khoryv 13 nautical miles off Constanta, outside Romanian territorial waters. One crew member died, nine were rescued and three remain missing from a crew of 13 Ukrainian and Azeri sailors. Russian officials did not immediately comment.
- The Khoryv, Comoros-flagged with 13 Ukrainian and Azeri crew, was struck 13 nautical miles (24km) off Romania's Constanta port
- Nine sailors were rescued, one body recovered and three remained missing after the distress signal at about 10am local time
- President Nicusor Dan called the sinking a consequence of Russia's aggression against Ukraine; Russian officials did not immediately comment
- Romania, Ukraine and Bulgaria asked NATO to fast-track additional surveillance, and NATO said it would send more patrol aircraft, radar and drones
What happened
A drone strike sank the Comoros-flagged cargo ship Khoryv on Friday 13 nautical miles (24km) off Romania's port of Constanta, just outside Romanian territorial waters, according to Romanian authorities. The vessel carried 13 Ukrainian and Azeri crew members.
Romania's naval authority said a distress signal came at about 10am local time (0700 GMT), prompting a rescue operation hampered by poor weather and low visibility. Nine sailors were rescued, one body was recovered and three remained missing. Video released by Romanian authorities showed only part of the capsized hull above the waves.
Blame and response
President Nicusor Dan blamed Russia, describing the attack as a further example of the consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and urging it to take ceasefire proposals seriously. Prime Minister Luca Niculescu called the attack a violation of international law, and Moldova's foreign ministry and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned it.
Russian officials did not immediately publicly comment. Russia has previously denied responsibility for deadly drone attacks in the region. The sinking followed Romania's report that its warplanes shot down two Russian drones over Romanian territorial waters the previous Saturday.
Shipping pressure
The strike is the latest in a series against commercial shipping off NATO members Romania and Bulgaria. Romania, Ukraine and Bulgaria have asked NATO to fast-track additional surveillance capabilities, and NATO said this week it would send more maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones to the Black Sea without blaming any country.
What did Romania's president say about the sinking of the Khoryv?
President Nicusor Dan blamed Russia, saying the attack was a new example of the tragic consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and called on Russia to accept ceasefire proposals. Russian officials did not immediately comment.
Sources & further reading
- Romania blames Russia after drone sinks ship in the Black Sea ↗Al Jazeera
- Romania blames Russia for ship attack in the Black Sea ↗DW
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