Sunday, October 25, 2026 - A drone strike has sunk another cargo ship in the Black Sea near Romania, killing at least one sailor and leaving three others missing as rescue teams race against difficult weather conditions. The Comoros-flagged vessel, identified as the Khoryv, was carrying 13 crew members from Ukraine and Azerbaijan when it caught fire and sank on October 23, 2026.
Romanian naval authorities said nine sailors were rescued, while emergency teams recovered one body and continued searching for the missing crew members. The ship sent a distress signal about 24 kilometres from the Romanian port of Constanța, just outside the country’s territorial waters.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed Russia for escalating attacks linked to its war against Ukraine, describing the latest incident as another threat to regional security. The sinking comes amid a series of drone attacks targeting commercial vessels near the coasts of Romania and neighbouring Bulgaria, both NATO members.
At least seven cargo ships have reportedly been attacked in the area over the preceding two weeks, with sailors killed or reported missing. Rough seas and strong winds have complicated rescue operations, while the increasing number of incidents has raised concerns about the safety of merchant vessels operating along vital Black Sea shipping routes.
The latest attack is intensifying calls for stronger protection of commercial shipping and critical trade routes in the Black Sea. Ukraine relies heavily on the region to export grain, vegetable oil and other goods, making maritime security essential for international trade and food supplies.
NATO has announced plans to strengthen its regional surveillance capabilities with additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones. Meanwhile, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria are urging greater protection for civilian vessels as tensions rise. With rescue efforts continuing and further attacks remaining a concern, the security of the Black Sea has become an increasingly urgent challenge for regional governments and the international community.
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