Two people died and the Turkish-owned corn carrier Royad Mammadov sank in the Black Sea after being struck by two drones on October 5. The Romanian border guard rescued eleven crew members following the attack, which occurred in international waters within Romania’s exclusive economic zone, roughly 30 nautical miles from Sfântu Gheorghe near the Danube Delta, according to reports.
The Royad Mammadov Sinks Off the Romanian Coast
The 139-meter-long cargo ship was sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis with a load of corn when the strike hit. The vessel had departed from the Ukrainian river port of Izmail on September 18 and was en route to Ravenna, Italy, with an expected arrival date of October 12. The incident took place about nine nautical miles southeast of the Pescăruș offshore platform outside Romania’s territorial waters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the vessel was carrying Azerbaijani and Indian nationals and that two people, including the captain, were killed. Another sailor was initially listed as missing before being confirmed dead.
Global Grain Markets React to Black Sea Escalation
The sinking of a fully loaded export vessel directly impacts the global agricultural market by disrupting supply chains rather than merely targeting port terminals. Insurance and freight costs for commercial ships operating in the Black Sea have climbed as shipowners weigh the rising risks of drones, sea drones, and naval mines.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy Condemns Drone Strike on Civilian Shipping
Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the drone strike as a deliberate attack on civilian shipping and called on the international community to increase pressure on Moscow to safeguard global food security. Ukraine had previously offered concrete de-escalation plans for maritime transport that Russia ignored. Meanwhile, Moscow did not comment directly on the Royad Mammadov incident but announced that its forces had struck two other commercial vessels on the same day.
A previous attack occurred on July 21, when a Liberian-flagged tanker sustained damage within Romania’s economic zone without causing fatalities. The latest maritime strike unfolded alongside ongoing diplomatic initiatives by Turkey and the United Nations to restart grain export negotiations and secure Black Sea transit routes, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pushes for expanded diplomatic efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Black Sea Grain Ship Attack
Which nationalities were on board the Royad Mammadov?
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statements, the crew included citizens from Azerbaijan and India.
Where exactly did the ship sink?
The incident occurred in international waters within Romania’s exclusive economic zone, approximately 30 nautical miles east of Sfântu Gheorghe near the Danube Delta and close to the Pescăruș oil platform operated by OMV-Petrom.
What was the cargo destination of the vessel?
The Turkish-owned ship loaded corn at the Ukrainian port of Izmail on September 18 and was heading toward Ravenna, Italy, with an scheduled arrival date of October 12.
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