A drone strike sank the Comoros-flagged cargo ship Khoryv off Romania's Black Sea coast, killing one sailor and leaving three others missing. Romanian President Nicusor Dan said the attack was part of Russia's escalation in the war in Ukraine.
The vessel, with 13 Ukrainian and Azeri sailors aboard, sent a distress signal 13 nautical miles off the port of Constanta, just beyond Romanian territorial waters. Nine sailors were rescued from the water, one body was recovered, and three remain missing. Emergency vessels searched in choppy seas and high wind as only a small part of the ship's hull stayed visible above the waves.
At least seven cargo vessels have been hit off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria in the past two weeks, with some 30 sailors reported dead or missing. The vessels struck recently were either anchored near or heading toward the Sulina Canal, the waterway linking the Danube River to the Black Sea.
The canal has become Ukraine's primary export route for grain and food oil as Russia has attacked Ukraine's own Black Sea ports. Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria have urged NATO to strengthen protection for commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
The Russian Defence Ministry said its drones struck a cargo vessel bound for Chornomorsk overnight and another cargo vessel en route to Odesa during the day. The ministry said the vessels were supplying the Ukrainian army.
NATO said it would send more maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones to the Black Sea, though the alliance has not specified which capabilities would be deployed. Romanian F-16 jets shot down two Russian drones over Romanian territorial waters on Saturday.
For owners, charterers and brokers, the concentration of attacks around the Danube export corridor raises the risk profile for vessels using Romanian waters and the Sulina Canal, even as NATO bolsters its regional presence.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
