Two crew members killed as Turkish-owned grain ship sinks in Black Sea after reported drone attack

Europe, News October 6, 2026 , by IRIA Comments Off

6 minute read

A reported drone strike hit a Turkish-owned cargo ship carrying corn from Ukraine to Italy in the Black Sea on October 5, 2026, causing a fire that killed two crew members and eventually sank the vessel near Romania.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russia for the attack, while Romanian authorities said they had not independently confirmed the cause of the fire.

The 139-meter Royad Mammadov sank within Romania’s exclusive economic zone, about 30 nautical miles south of the Romanian port of Sfantu Gheorghe. Eleven crew members were rescued, including three who were injured, while two bodies were recovered.

The incident adds to growing concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, where Russia and Ukraine have increasingly used drones and other unmanned systems during their war.

Drone Strike on Civilian Vessel

The Royad Mammadov was carrying grain from Ukraine’s Izmail port to Ravenna, Italy, when it came under attack. Romania’s Interior Ministry said authorities were informed at about 11 a.m. that a commercial vessel had caught fire within the country’s exclusive economic zone. Rescue ships and a helicopter were sent to the area after the crew reported the emergency.

Eleven crew members were rescued, and two bodies were recovered, according to Romanian authorities. Three sailors were injured and evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in Constanta.

Romanian Naval Authority spokesperson Irina Puscasu said three crew members were injured and eight were in good condition. The injured sailors, aged between 22 and 50, were reported to be conscious and stable.

A view of a vessel during a rescue operation (L) and rescue workers conducting operations following a fire outside Romania's territorial waters — *^{A view of a vessel during a rescue operation (L) and rescue workers conducting operations (R) following a fire outside Romania’s territorial waters. (Image Credit: Romanian Interior Ministry)}*

The vessel later sank about 30 nautical miles south of Sfantu Gheorghe and roughly 20 miles from the Romanian coast. The incident occurred about nine nautical miles from the Pescarus offshore platform.

Romanian authorities did not initially confirm the cause of the fire. However, local reports said the ship had been struck by a drone.

Adrian Mihalcioiu, head of Romania’s Free Navigators Union, said information available to him indicated that the vessel had been attacked by aerial and maritime drones. He described the vessel as a commercial ship with no connection to the war.

Zelenskyy Blames Russia

Zelenskyy said the vessel was struck by two Russian drones while sailing in what he described as neutral waters. “A horrific strike by two Russian drones on a civilian vessel in neutral waters carrying corn,” Zelenskyy said.

He said the ship was Turkish-owned and that Azerbaijani and Indian citizens were among the crew. Zelenskyy also confirmed the death of the ship’s captain and offered condolences to the families of those killed.

He said Ukraine had repeatedly proposed measures to reduce tensions and improve security in the Black Sea, while third countries had also put forward proposals.

“Russia consistently chooses terror and sinking civilian vessels instead of normal maritime navigation,” Zelenskyy said, calling for international pressure to protect global food security.

Firefighters and rescuers work near a helicopter at an emergency helicopter base in Constanta, Romania, during a rescue operation following a maritime incident involving a fire aboard a vessel outside Romania's territorial waters — ^{Firefighters and rescuers work near a helicopter at an emergency helicopter base in Constanta, Romania, during a rescue operation following a maritime incident involving a fire aboard a vessel outside Romania’s territorial waters, on October 5, 2026. (Image Credit: Romanian Interior Ministry)}

Russian officials had not immediately responded to the accusation. Romanian authorities also had not attributed responsibility for the incident.

The Royad Mammadov was transporting grain from Izmail, a Ukrainian port on the Danube, to Ravenna in Italy. The general cargo vessel was built in 2006 and was sailing under the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis. Reports identified it as being owned by a Turkish company and operated by MG Shipping.

Maritime tracking data showed that the ship had left Izmail fully loaded before heading toward Italy. The attack highlights the increasing risks faced by commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea.

Ships transporting agricultural products from Ukrainian ports continue to use the waterway despite the wider military conflict and the growing presence of drones and other military objects.

A maritime risk assessment by Ambrey last month said war-related objects found in the Black Sea had more than doubled over a six-month period.

The objects included drones, unmanned vessels and unexploded ordnance. At least one-third were reported to have carried live payloads. The increase was concentrated in Romanian, Bulgarian and Turkish waters.

Black Sea Shipping Faces Growing Risks

The sinking comes after several incidents involving drones and other military objects around Romania and the western Black Sea.

Romania, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has faced repeated incidents involving drones near its territory and coastal waters as the Russia-Ukraine war has expanded its use of unmanned systems.

Cătălin Predoiu, minister of Internal Affairs: we first need a comprehensive defense concept for responding to drone threats, one that reflects the nature and complexity of this new security challenge and is developed in consultation with all relevant institutions. https://t.co/80gmyMSFM9
— MAI România – Ministry of Internal Affairs Romania (@MAIRomania) September 1, 2026

In August, a Romanian F-16 fighter jet destroyed a maritime drone near an offshore gas project in the Black Sea. Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed Russia and condemned what he described as an escalation of dangerous incidents.

In June, a Ukrainian maritime drone exploded in the Black Sea port of Constanta without causing casualties. Kyiv said the drone had been pushed off course by Russian electronic interference.

The incidents have increased concerns among commercial operators over the risks of navigating the Black Sea, particularly in areas close to Ukraine and Romania. The latest sinking also raises concerns because the vessel was carrying civilian agricultural cargo on an international route.

Turkiye Calls for Safe Shipping

Turkiye has repeatedly called on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war to ensure the safety of commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea. The country has a direct interest in maritime security because the Bosphorus and Dardanelles provide the main route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

Turkish seafarers have also protested over deaths and attacks involving commercial vessels in the region. The Turkish Chamber of Maritime Commerce said last month that 226 civilian and commercial vessels had been attacked in the Black Sea since the beginning of the war, with most of the incidents occurring this year.

Turkish officials have repeatedly stressed that commercial navigation should be protected from the effects of the conflict. The latest incident comes as Turkiye and the United Nations continue efforts to support discussions on Black Sea security and a possible ceasefire arrangement between Russia and Ukraine.

The sinking of the Turkish-owned cargo ship shows how the continued use of drones in the war is affecting civilian shipping well beyond the immediate areas of fighting.