Two killed, Indian among injured after Russian drone hits Turkish cargo ship

Two people were killed and several crew members, including an Indian national, were injured after a Russian drone strike ignited a fire aboard a Turkish-owned civilian cargo vessel in the Black Sea, according to multiple reports. The vessel, identified as MV Royad Mammadov, was carrying corn and was en route from Ukraine to Italy. The incident occurred in the Black Sea, approximately 30 nautical miles south of Sfantul Gheorghe in Tulcea County, within Romania’s exclusive economic zone. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that two Russian drones had targeted the vessel, which was operating in neutral waters. He confirmed that the ship’s captain was killed and that the fate of another individual remained unclear. Zelenskyy noted that Azerbaijani and Indian citizens were among those on board, with 11 crew members ultimately rescued, one of whom was injured. He condemned the attack, calling it a “horrific strike” and emphasizing the need for international efforts to secure the Black Sea region to safeguard global food supplies. The Indian Embassy in Romania reported that three Indian nationals were part of the crew and that one had sustained injuries requiring medical attention. The embassy confirmed that all three were safe and in good health following consultations with hospital officials in Constanța County. The Indian Ambassador to Romania, Manoj Mohapatra, spoke directly with the affected crew members and assured them of continued support. The embassy emphasized its coordination with Romanian authorities to monitor the well-being of the Indian nationals. Romania’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the Coast Guard was alerted to the fire at around 11 a.m. local time. While the exact cause of the blaze was not officially disclosed, Romanian media reported that the vessel had been struck by a drone southeast of a Black Sea oil platform. The National Maritime Authority identified the vessel as MV Royad Mammadov, a general cargo ship registered under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis. According to tracking data from MarineTraffic, the vessel had departed from Ukraine’s port of Izmail and was bound for Italy. The incident has raised concerns over the increasing risks to maritime trade in the Black Sea, a vital corridor for global commerce, particularly for Ukraine’s grain exports. Analysts have noted a rise in attacks on commercial vessels and port infrastructure since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These incidents include the discovery of unexploded ordnance and drones in Romanian, Bulgarian, and Turkish waters, prompting calls for greater security measures. Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s stance that Russia is responsible for the attack and criticized Moscow for prioritizing military actions over peaceful navigation. He stated that Ukraine has repeatedly proposed measures to reduce tensions and enhance security in the region. However, Russia has yet to respond publicly to these allegations. Earlier reports from Russia’s Defence Ministry mentioned strikes on two cargo vessels, though the specifics of the incident involving MV Royad Mammadov remain under investigation. The vessel’s sinking followed the fire, marking another tragic episode in the ongoing conflict’s impact on civilian shipping. The casualty count includes two fatalities, with one of the victims’ nationalities still unidentified. The injured crew member was evacuated via helicopter and received medical treatment in Romania. The incident underscores the growing threat to commercial vessels navigating through the Black Sea, highlighting the urgent need for international cooperation to protect maritime routes essential to global supply chains.