Russian Drone Strikes Sink Turkish Vessel, Kill Two in Black Sea

A Turkish-flagged grain carrier, MV Royad Mammadov, sank in Romania's exclusive economic zone on October 5 after a drone attack that killed two crew members and injured eleven others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed Russian drones for the strike, which occurred while the vessel was en route to Italy with a cargo of corn. Romanian SAR vessels rescued 11 crew members; the captain was among the dead.

Hours later, a second Turkish-owned vessel, the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan, was sunk by drones in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, approximately 70 nautical miles off the coast of Byala. Bulgarian Admiral Emil Eftimov stated the ship sank in roughly three minutes. A Bulgarian ferry rescued 11 Turkish and seven Indian crew members from a third vessel, the Able, which was damaged in the same area.

“An horrific attack launched by two Russian drones against a civilian vessel in neutral waters carrying corn and belonging to Turkey.”

The Indian Embassy in Romania confirmed three Indian nationals were aboard the Royad Mammadov. All three are safe, though one sustained injuries and received treatment at Constanța County Hospital. Ambassador Manoj Mohapatra visited the crew and coordinated with hospital authorities.

Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova convened the National Security Consultative Council on October 6, breaking off her campaign to address the crisis. The Council proposed a moratorium on maritime hostilities, urgent consultations with Romania and Turkey, and enhanced NATO-backed air defenses. Prime Minister Rumen Radev opposed the Council's convocation, warning against political exploitation.

Radev described the nocturnal drone attacks as "absolutely unacceptable" violations of international law but declined to attribute responsibility to Russia or Ukraine. He warned the strikes severely disrupt maritime transport, spike insurance costs, and threaten grain export corridors from the world's two largest wheat exporters. NATO Article 4 consultations were not triggered.

The European Commission confirmed on October 7 that the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is providing satellite imagery to Romania and Bulgaria to bolster monitoring capacity. The Commission linked the deteriorating security situation to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. A joint Romanian-Bulgarian Maritime Security Centre, to be based in Constanța and Varna, aims to improve situational awareness and counter hybrid threats.