DNA

BUCHAREST — Romania’s Foreign Minister Dan Neculǎescu on Friday condemned a lethal drone strike on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea just 13 nautical miles off the coast of Constanța, calling it a “blatant violation of international law and freedom of navigation.”

The attack killed one sailor and injured others, according to the minister, who extended condolences to the victim’s family as Romanian Coast Guard rescue operations continued in rough seas.

The Comoros-flagged cargo ship Khoryv, reportedly bound for Sulina, was struck by a drone on 23 October 2026 just outside Romania’s territorial waters. The vessel capsized and sank. Of its 13 crew members — 10 Ukrainians and three Azerbaijanis — nine were rescued alive, one died and three remained missing. Footage released by Romania’s Interior Ministry showed the capsized ship and the rescue operation.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan attributed the attack to Russia and described it as a further escalation of its war against Ukraine.

In his statement, Neculǎescu linked the strike directly to Moscow’s war, saying: “Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine is escalating and this directly affects merchant marine navigation in the Black Sea. This is a direct threat to both regional and global security.”

The minister said Romania was coordinating closely with NATO Allies, including Bulgaria and Türkiye, “to fast-track the additional surveillance capabilities agreed at the Oct 20 NAC.”

The incident follows a series of attacks on commercial shipping near Romania and Bulgaria, including the 15 October attack on the Wine Trader near Sulina. These waters provide access to the Danube and have become especially important for Ukrainian agricultural exports following repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine’s own Black Sea ports.

The broader concern, officials say, is that the war is increasingly endangering civilian crews and commercial routes close to NATO and EU territory. The attacks threaten regional trade, raise shipping risks and place additional pressure on Romania, Bulgaria and their allies to strengthen maritime surveillance and protection. NATO has announced additional surveillance capabilities for the Black Sea.