Overview
- A Turkish-owned cargo vessel, Royad Mammadov, was hit by drones and sank after an attack in the Black Sea near Romania, with nearby rescue teams operating at the scene.
- Romanian officials reported two people dead, 11 crew rescued and three injured evacuated by helicopter while Ukrainian authorities gave a differing account of casualties and a missing crew member.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian drones of carrying out the strike, a claim that has been publicly stated but not independently verified.
- The ship was carrying corn from Ukraine to Ravenna, Italy, sailed under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the incident happened roughly 20 nautical miles off Romania and about nine nautical miles from the Pescăruș platform, which reported no damage.
- Authorities and companies have begun investigations and emergency responses, and the attack has raised wider concerns about maritime safety, the protection of energy infrastructure and possible disruption to grain exports.