Romania’s president blames Russia for deadly Khoryv sinking

On 23 October, Romanian President Nicusor Dan blamed Russia for a drone strike that sank the merchant ship Khoryv near Romanian territorial waters, DW said. Dan said at least one sailor was killed and three were missing. Nine of the 13 Ukrainian and Azerbaijani crew members were rescued.

Three Azerbaijani nationals aboard were among those rescued, JAMnews said on 26 October.

One rescued sailor received medical care

Rufan Ahmadov was one of the three rescued Azerbaijani sailors. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said he sustained minor injuries, underwent a medical examination and was accommodated in a hotel.

Earlier attacks and NATO’s response

Russian strikes against ships seeking to export Ukrainian grain and other cargo through the western Black Sea increased sharply in October, DW said. About two weeks before the Khoryv sank, two merchant vessels were set ablaze in the region. One was inside Romanian territorial waters; the Khoryv sank near those waters.

Romania and Bulgaria, both members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), blamed Russia for attacks on commercial shipping and called for greater protection. NATO said it was sending more maritime patrol aircraft and radar systems to the Black Sea, but did not blame any country for the attacks.