Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a "horrific" Russian attack on a vessel carrying corn in the Black Sea. The incident, which involved two drones, resulted in the death of the ship's captain, with another sailor unaccounted for. Eleven crew members, who are nationals of Azerbaijan and India, have been rescued.
Rescue Mission Launched
Romanian authorities initiated a rescue mission after reports emerged of a fire on the ship Royad Mammadov, located outside Romania's territorial waters. The Romanian interior ministry confirmed that two people had died in the incident.
“"At around 11:00 (09:00 GMT), Coast Guard border police officers were informed that a fire had broken out on board a commercial vessel located within Romania's exclusive economic zone," the ministry stated.
The ministry added, "Eleven crew members have been rescued. Two deceased persons have also been identified."
Context of the Attack
Zelensky stated that the attack targeted "a civilian vessel in neutral waters carrying corn and owned by Turkey." Although he did not specify the exact location of the ship, Romania's interior ministry indicated it sank approximately 30 nautical miles south of the port of Sfantu Gheorghe.
