Seven sailors missing after drones hit two ships near Romania

Seven sailors are missing following drone attacks on two tankers near Romania’s Black Sea coast, sparking renewed concerns over security on a crucial shipping route used by Ukraine. The incidents occurred on Thursday, with the San Marino-flagged Wine Trader and the Yara J, a Comoros-flagged vessel, both struck by drones. The Wine Trader was empty of cargo at the time, having departed from Tunisia and heading toward Romania. The Yara J suffered damage but managed to extinguish the resulting fire, with all its crew reported safe. The attacks took place approximately 13 nautical miles east of the mouth of the Danube River at Sulina. According to Romanian authorities, the Wine Trader reported multiple explosions around 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT). Nearby vessels confirmed the ship had been hit by two drones. A search and rescue operation is ongoing, involving two Black Hawk helicopters and two rescue boats. Romanian officials emphasized the urgency of locating the four confirmed survivors amid challenging sea conditions. Romania’s president, Nicușor Dan, described the situation as serious, stating that commercial ships are being attacked and sunk near the shores of Romania and Bulgaria. He expressed concern over seafarers being killed, injured, or missing in the region. Dan confirmed that both the Wine Trader and the Yara J had been struck by drones, though he did not immediately attribute responsibility to any specific party. His comments followed a meeting with Bulgaria’s prime minister, Rumen Radev, and NATO’s secretary-general, Mark Rutte, where they discussed strengthening defenses in the Black Sea. NATO officials indicated that the issue would be addressed at a forthcoming meeting of the North Atlantic Council. Rutte stated that NATO would continue working closely with its Black Sea allies, adjusting deterrence and defense strategies as necessary. Discussions also included the potential invocation of Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows any member to request consultations if they believe their territorial integrity or security is threatened. The attacks come amid a series of similar incidents in the region. On Tuesday, two merchant ships off the coast of Bulgaria were struck by drones, with 11 crew members still missing from the HS Dignity. Another vessel, the Chelsea 3, saw all 15 of its crew evacuated, with five sustaining minor injuries. The Chelsea 3 reported that three drones hit its deck and hull. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev noted that while the results of these attacks favor Russia, there is currently no definitive evidence linking the drones to Russian origins. Meanwhile, Romania’s interior ministry released footage of a helicopter hovering over the Wine Trader as part of the ongoing rescue efforts. The incidents have drawn attention to the broader conflict dynamics in the Black Sea. Russia has intensified its bombing campaigns on Ukrainian infrastructure, prompting Kyiv to rely more heavily on Danube river ports and alternative Black Sea routes through Romanian and Bulgarian waters for exporting grain and sunflower oil. This shift has increased exposure for commercial shipping in the region. European Union leaders have condemned the attacks, with a draft summit declaration stating that assaults on civilian shipping, including vessels flying flags of EU member states, are unacceptable violations of international and maritime law. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the Black Sea as a new front in the escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Russia has claimed that its drones targeted ships transporting military cargo to Ukraine’s Odesa port, denying direct involvement in attacks on civilian vessels. However, Kyiv and its Western allies argue that merchant ships carrying grain and other non-military goods are also being targeted. Both Russia and Ukraine are significant grain exporters, and Turkey has urged both nations to cease attacks in the Black Sea. Despite these appeals, Moscow has refused to comply with calls for a naval ceasefire, attributing blame to Ukraine for attacks on Russian merchant ships. As the search for the missing sailors continues, Romanian officials remain focused on investigating the causes of the attacks and reinforcing regional security measures. The situation underscores the escalating tensions in the Black Sea, where commercial shipping routes are increasingly exposed to the risks of drone warfare.