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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said two Russian drones struck a Turkish-owned civilian cargo ship in the Black Sea, outside Romania’s territorial waters. The ship’s captain was killed, one person remains unaccounted for and 11 crew members were rescued, he said. One of those rescued was injured.
In a post on social media platform X on October 5, Zelensky said the vessel was carrying corn and that its crew included Azerbaijani and Indian citizens.
Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said a fire broke out aboard the ship and that it later sank. Romania’s Naval Authority identified the vessel as the “Royad Mammadov.” Romanian officials did not disclose the cause of the fire.
Ship-tracking data cited by Reuters showed the vessel sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis and carrying corn to the Italian port of Ravenna. The ship had previously called at Ukraine’s port of Izmail.
Romanian media reported that the incident occurred near an offshore platform operated by OMV Petrom. The company told local media that the platform was operating normally.
Russia had not responded to the allegation by October 5. However, in its daily bulletin, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said Russian forces had struck two cargo ships.
Zelensky calls for Black Sea security
Zelensky said Ukraine had proposed concrete measures to reduce tensions in the Black Sea and ensure safe navigation. He urged the international community to put pressure on Russia to protect food security and maritime trade.
The Black Sea has remained an important route for grain exports since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022. Romania, a NATO member sharing a 614-kilometer border with Ukraine, has repeatedly reported incidents involving drones and naval mines near shipping routes in the area.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on October 5 that his country was holding discussions with Russia and Ukraine to ensure the safe transport of grain and fuel from the region.
Attacks in other parts of Ukraine
At the same time as the Black Sea incident, a Russian guided bomb struck the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, killing three people and injuring 25. The city’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said residential buildings and warehouses were damaged.
Martin Jäger, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, told a parliamentary hearing that Russia’s confrontation with Europe had entered a “more dangerous new phase.” He accused Russia of conducting hybrid operations against European democracies, including drone and cyberattacks.
Jäger said there were no signs of an imminent large-scale Russian attack on NATO territory, but that more limited military activity in the Baltic region was possible. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied allegations that Russia plans to attack NATO members. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that Moscow had no intention of attacking anyone but would respond if it were subjected to aggression.
