Romania has attributed a recent drone strike that sank a cargo ship off its Black Sea coast to Russia, accusing Moscow of intensifying attacks on NATO’s eastern flank. The incident occurred near the port of Constanta, just beyond Romanian territorial waters, resulting in at least one confirmed death among the crew and three sailors reported missing.

The vessel involved, the Comoros-flagged tanker Khoryv, was crewed by 13 individuals from Ukraine and Azerbaijan. According to Romanian naval authorities, the ship sent a distress signal approximately 13 nautical miles off Constanta before capsizing. Emergency responders rescued nine sailors from the water, recovered one body, and continued searching the surrounding sea under challenging conditions marked by high winds and rough waves.

This attack follows a recent surge in assaults targeting commercial vessels in the Black Sea region near NATO member states Romania and Bulgaria. Over the past two weeks, at least seven cargo ships have been struck, with around 30 sailors reported dead or missing. Romanian President Nicusor Dan described the event as part of Russia’s broader escalation in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine and specifically identified the cause as a drone strike.

In response to the heightened threat, NATO announced plans to deploy additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, and drones to bolster surveillance and security in the Black Sea. The alliance has not provided detailed information on the exact capabilities or the timeline of the reinforcements. Meanwhile, Romanian military forces recently intercepted and shot down two advanced Russian drones over Romanian territorial waters.

Many of the targeted vessels were either anchored near or en route to the Sulina Canal, which connects the Danube River to the Black Sea. This canal has become a crucial export corridor for Ukraine, a major global supplier of grain and food oils, especially since Russia’s attacks have severely damaged Ukraine’s own Black Sea ports. Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria have collectively urged NATO to enhance protective measures for commercial shipping lanes in the region to ensure the safe passage of goods vital to global food supplies.

The developments underscore the increasing tensions and security challenges faced by NATO members along the eastern Black Sea coast amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and related regional dynamics.