BUCHAREST, October 6, 2026: A Turkish-owned grain ship sank in the Black Sea after catching fire in a reported drone attack, killing two crew members and raising fresh concerns over the safety of civilian shipping in the region.
The vessel, Royad Mammadov, was carrying grain from Ukraine’s Izmail port to Italy when it was hit in Romania’s exclusive economic zone. Romanian authorities said 11 crew members were rescued, while two others died. Ukraine blamed Russian drones for the attack, saying two drones struck the ship. Romanian authorities, however, have not independently confirmed who was responsible.
The incident was followed by another serious development on Tuesday, when two commercial vessels were reportedly hit by drones in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone. One ship sank, while another caught fire. Crew members were rescued, although some were injured.
The attacks have increased concerns over the growing risks to commercial vessels using Black Sea routes, which are vital for Ukraine’s grain exports and regional trade. European officials have condemned attacks on civilian shipping, warning that continued incidents could further disrupt international trade and maritime security.
