Romanian president blames Russia for drone strike on commercial ship in Black Sea

Romania has accused Russia of an attack on a merchant ship in the Black Sea, resulting in the death of at least one sailor and leaving three others missing. The incident occurred near Romanian territorial waters, where a drone strike sank the Khoryv, a vessel carrying 13 crew members from Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Nine crew members have been rescued thus far.

This marks the fourth merchant vessel to be targeted off the Romanian coast this month, with two vessels previously set ablaze in the western Black Sea, a crucial shipping route heavily utilized by Ukraine. Romania has expressed concerns over what it perceives as Russian provocation in the region, as Bulgaria, another NATO member, has echoed similar apprehensions.

Both nations have held Russia accountable for the attacks and have urged the alliance to bolster protection for commercial shipping in the Black Sea. NATO has recently deployed additional maritime patrol aircraft and radar systems to the region but has refrained from assigning blame for the attacks. Since October 15, approximately 23 sailors have been reported dead or missing in incidents in the Black Sea, according to Reuters.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced the escalating attacks on vessels in the Black Sea, labeling it "unacceptable" that the once peaceful waters have become a new front in the Russian war against Ukraine.