A Russian drone strike on Friday caused a cargo ship to sink in the Black Sea, resulting in the death of one crew member and leaving three others missing, according to officials. Romanian naval authorities reported that a search and rescue operation is ongoing after the vessel caught fire and went down approximately 15 miles east of the port city of Constanta, near Romania's territorial waters.
The ship carried a crew of 10 Ukrainian citizens and three Azerbaijanis. Nine individuals were successfully rescued.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan condemned the attack, stating, "This attack is a new example of the tragic consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. It is time for Russia to take peace initiatives of the United States and Europe seriously, accept the cease-fire proposals and end the war."
This incident follows a series of attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. At least seven other cargo vessels have been targeted this month off the coasts of NATO members Romania and Bulgaria, resulting in two deaths and 25 missing individuals.
Video footage released by the Interior Ministry depicted the ship's hull visible above the surface amidst rough seas. The naval authority identified the sunken vessel as the Comoros-flagged Khoryv. Shipping data indicates the ship departed Turkey on October 21 and was en route to Romania's Sulina port.
"Rescue teams continue search operations to identify and rescue the other three crew members," the naval authority stated. They also noted that helicopter deployment was not possible due to unfavorable weather conditions and low visibility.
Earlier on Saturday, Romanian pilots engaged in air policing duties shot down two drones within Romania's territorial waters over the Black Sea.