Russian drones attacked a Turkish ship in the Black Sea
Russian drones attacked a Turkish civilian vessel carrying corn in the Black Sea. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the captain was killed, while 11 crew members were rescued. Later, Romanian authorities reported two fatalities.
In the Black Sea, Russian drones struck a civilian vessel carrying corn. The ship belonged to Turkey and was in an area near the Romanian coast. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the attack. According to him, the strike was carried out by two Russian drones. Citizens of Azerbaijan and India were on board.
Zelenskyy initially reported that the ship’s captain had been killed in the attack. Another person was considered missing at that time. Eleven crew members were rescued, one of whom was injured. However, Romanian authorities later clarified the details. According to Romanian authorities, two people were killed, and 11 sailors were rescued. Several ships, the coast guard, and aircraft were deployed for the rescue operation.
The vessel in question is the ROYAD MAMMADOV. According to Romanian media reports, it had previously called at the Ukrainian port of Izmail and was transporting grain from Ukraine to Italy. A fire broke out on board after the collision, and the vessel subsequently sank. The Romanian Maritime Coordination Center received a distress signal on the morning of October 5. The vessel was approximately 20 nautical miles off the Romanian coast, near the “Pescăruș” oil platform.
The rescue vessels SAR Apollo, SAR Ares, and SAR Artemis were dispatched to the scene. A unit of the Romanian Coast Guard also joined the operation. Rescuers searched for crew members after the ship was struck and caught fire. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine has repeatedly proposed concrete steps to reduce tensions and ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea. According to him, similar proposals have also come from other countries. “A horrific attack by two Russian drones on a civilian vessel in neutral waters that was carrying corn and belonged to Turkey. There were citizens of Azerbaijan and India on board,” the president wrote.
Zelenskyy also stated that, in his opinion, Russia continues to attack civilian shipping instead of ensuring safety in the Black Sea. “Pressure is needed to restore global food security. And everyone who is truly interested in this must help,” the president noted.
The incident occurred in an area through which key grain transport routes from Ukrainian ports pass. The attack on the merchant ship has once again drawn attention to the safety of civilian shipping in the Black Sea.
It is currently known that 11 crew members were rescued. Romanian authorities continued their work following the incident, and the circumstances of the attack and final information regarding the fatalities are being determined. This was reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The grain carrier Royad Mammadov sank in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania; according to preliminary reports, it was struck by a drone. There were 13 crew members on board: 11 were rescued, and two died. The vessel was approximately 20 nautical miles from the Romanian coast and near the Pescăruș offshore platform.
