Romania blames Russia after drone sinks ship in the Black Sea

What the report says

Romania has blamed Russia after a drone strike sank a cargo ship in the Black Sea near its coast, according to Al Jazeera’s report on October 23, 2026. The vessel, the Comoros-flagged Khoryv, was struck on Friday about 13 nautical miles from Romania’s port of Constanta, just outside Romanian territorial waters. It was carrying 13 Ukrainian and Azeri crew members.

Romanian authorities said the attack killed one sailor, left three others missing, and led to a search-and-rescue operation that recovered one body and rescued nine crew members. The report said poor weather and low visibility complicated the response. Video released by Romanian authorities showed the ship capsizing and only a small part of the hull remaining above the water.

The incident came amid a broader increase in drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, with NATO members Romania and Bulgaria urging stronger protection for merchant vessels. Al Jazeera reported that at least seven cargo ships had been hit in the previous two weeks, raising concern about the risk to civilian shipping and regional security. NATO said it would add maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones to the area.

Romanian and European officials said the attack violated international law, while Russia did not immediately comment on the sinking. The report also noted that the route is important for Ukrainian exports, which increasingly rely on Black Sea and Danube shipping lanes as Russia attacks Ukraine’s own ports.