Black Sea Drone Strike Sinks Cargo Ship: Romania Points to Russia
One seafarer killed and three missing after the Comoros-flagged Khoryv was struck 13 nautical miles off Constanța.
Romanian authorities have attributed a deadly drone strike in the Black Sea to Russia after a cargo vessel sank near the port of Constanța, resulting in one fatality and three missing crew members. The attack occurred on October 23, approximately 13 nautical miles from the Romanian coastline.
The Khoryv, a Comoros-flagged ship, issued a distress call around 10:00 local time while sailing just outside Romania’s territorial waters. Originally constructed in 1983 as an ore-oil carrier, the vessel capsized following significant damage from the strike. Footage released by Romanian officials showed only a small portion of the overturned hull remaining visible above the water.
Search Operations Face Challenging Conditions: black sea drone strike
The Khoryv had 13 crew members on board, 10 Ukrainians and three Azerbaijanis. Rescue teams, including a nearby commercial vessel, recovered nine survivors, while the body of a tenth seafarer was retrieved. The search for the three remaining crew members continues, though rough seas and limited visibility have complicated efforts.
Romania’s Coast Guard and the Agency for the Rescue of Human Life at Sea are coordinating the operation under the naval authority’s direction. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of one Ukrainian crew member, while four others, including the ship’s captain, are receiving medical care in a hospital.
Incident Part of Broader Pattern of Attacks
The Khoryv was en route from the Turkish port of Ereğli to Sulina, carrying a cargo of ferrous metals, with an expected arrival on the evening of October 23. Romania’s president has directly accused Russia of responsibility for the strike, though Moscow has not yet issued a public response.
Recent weeks have seen a rise in attacks on merchant vessels in the region, affecting ships linked to both Romania and Bulgaria. No official statement from Russia regarding these incidents has been reported.
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