The crew consisted of 10 Ukrainian citizens and three Azerbaijani nationals. Nine crew members were rescued, while search and rescue missions for the remaining three continue. Romanian naval authorities stated that helicopter deployment was hindered by unfavorable weather conditions and low visibility. This attack is part of a broader pattern of aggression, with at least seven other cargo vessels attacked this month off the coasts of NATO members Romania and Bulgaria, resulting in two deaths and 25 missing persons.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan condemned the incident, describing it as a “tragic consequence of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.” He urged Moscow to accept ceasefire proposals and end the war. On Saturday, Romanian air policing pilots shot down two drones in Romanian territorial waters over the Black Sea. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that radar systems detected two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) entering the country without permission on Saturday evening.
In response to the airspace violations, Romania scrambled four F-16 fighter jets and one IAR-330 SOCAT helicopter. Alarms were issued in six counties: Iasi, Neamt, Vaslui, Botosani, Bacau, and Suceava. One drone exited Romanian airspace, while the other was last observed in the area between Vaslui and Bacau counties. No reports indicated that any aircraft crashed within the country.
This series of incidents follows a separate event on Wednesday, October 14, when a Comoros-flagged tanker, the YARA J, was reportedly hit by a drone in Romanian territorial waters near Sulina. In that instance, the fire was extinguished, and the crew was reported safe. The Coast Guard clarified that the YARA J was in ballast, contradicting initial reports that it was carrying petroleum or coal bound for Ukraine. While Romanian authorities have blamed Russia for the deadly attack on the Khoryv, specific attribution for the earlier tanker incident was less explicitly detailed in official statements, though it occurred amidst heightened tensions.
The escalating frequency of drone strikes on commercial shipping has raised concerns about the safety of maritime routes adjacent to NATO member states. Romania and Moldova are reportedly in discussions regarding joint programs for counter-drone defense, following a similar airspace violation in Moldova on October 23, which Kyiv’s neighbors have attributed to Russian-linked activity. The next expected development includes the conclusion of the search for the three missing crew members of the Khoryv and potential further diplomatic responses from NATO allies regarding the security of Black Sea shipping lanes.
