Overview
- The Comoros-flagged vessel Khoryv sank after a reported drone strike about 13 nautical miles off Constanța, Romania; nine crew were rescued, one sailor was confirmed dead and three remain missing.
- Romanian President Nicușor Dan publicly blamed Russia for the attack and described the incident as part of a wider escalation linked to the war in Ukraine.
- NATO has pledged extra maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones to the Black Sea to improve detection and tracking of hostile unmanned systems.
- Romania's top defence council said it will fast-track maritime surveillance, mine-countermeasure and counter-drone capabilities and step up operational exercises.
- The strikes threaten shipping on routes serving Ukraine's grain exports through the Sulina Canal, have hit at least seven ships in recent weeks, and have left around 30 sailors dead or missing while search-and-rescue work continues in poor weather.