Russian Drones Strike Civilian Cargo Ship Carrying Ukrainian Corn, Killing Two

Two people were killed after a civilian cargo ship was struck by two Russian drones in the Black Sea near the Romanian shore, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Reuters reported on October 5.

Romania’s Interior Ministry later confirmed that 11 crew members were rescued after the ship caught fire about 30 nautical miles south of Sfântu Gheorghe.

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and civilian shipping have repeatedly disrupted one of the country’s most important export routes. UNITED24 Media reported that Russia carried out 67 attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure in July alone, including 35 strikes on civilian vessels in ports and 22 on ships operating through the maritime corridor.

Romanian authorities did not identify the cause of the fire on the cargo ship. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, attributed the incident to a Russian drone strike.

“A horrific strike by two Russian drones on a civilian vessel in neutral waters carrying corn and owned by Türkiye,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “Azerbaijani and Indian citizens were on board.”

At the time of Zelenskyy’s statement, Ukraine had confirmed the death of the ship’s captain while another person remained unaccounted for.

“As of now, unfortunately, we know that the ship’s captain was killed. My condolences. The fate of one other person is still being established. Eleven crew members were rescued, one of them injured,” Zelenskyy wrote.

Romania has repeatedly faced Russian drone incursions linked to attacks on neighboring Ukraine. In July, Bucharest expelled a Russian diplomat after three Russian drones entered Romanian airspace over three days, all of which Romanian forces shot down.

Romania’s Interior Ministry stated that a General Aviation Inspectorate helicopter evacuated injured crew members by winch for emergency medical treatment. Coast Guard vessels and the helicopter continued search-and-rescue operations in the area.

Read more

Category

Opinion

The Cost of Non-Non-Alignment: When Russia Bombs Ukraine’s Ports, Africa Pays

Sep 08, 2026 12:22

Reuters identified the vessel as the Royad Mammadov, flying under the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis. The ship had last docked at Ukraine’s port of Izmail and was heading toward Ravenna, Italy.

Russian authorities had not commented directly on the incident. An earlier Russian Defense Ministry bulletin reported that Russian forces had struck two cargo vessels, according to Reuters.

Ukraine had recently stated that it was ready for a joint ceasefire covering both energy infrastructure and Black Sea shipping routes. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that the US, India, Türkiye, and Egypt had submitted proposals, with Kyiv insisting that any maritime truce also protect ports and energy facilities.

Be part of our reporting

We report from the front lines to show the reality of war. Your support helps us stay there and tell the stories that matter.

DONATE NOW