Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denounced what he called a “horrific” Russian attack on a cargo vessel transporting corn through the Black Sea. According to Zelensky, two drones struck the ship, killing its captain and leaving a second crew member missing. Eleven sailors, from Azerbaijan and India, were pulled to safety.
Romanian authorities said they launched a rescue operation after receiving reports of a fire aboard the vessel, identified as the Royad Mammadov, roughly 30 nautical miles (about 35 miles, or 56 km) south of the Black Sea port of Sfantu Gheorghe, just outside Romania’s territorial waters. Romania’s interior ministry confirmed two deaths and said the ship went down within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Russia has not directly addressed the incident, though its defense ministry said earlier it had struck two cargo ships, describing such attacks as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and vessels. Zelensky said the ship, owned by Turkey, had been sailing in neutral waters and called for international pressure to protect Black Sea shipping routes and global food supplies.
The strike comes amid an escalating exchange: Russia has vowed to intensify attacks on Ukraine, while Western officials warn of growing “hybrid warfare” threats, including a recent explosive-laden drone found near Ukrainian cargo planes at a German airport.
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Source: Zelensky condemns 'horrific' Russian strike on boat carrying corn in Black Sea (feeds.bbci.co.uk).
Image: imo.un, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).