AI-generated summary
The war in Ukraine continues with repercussions in the Black Sea, where attacks targeting civilian shipping are increasing. Turkey had previously expressed concern over maritime security in this area.
The war in Ukraine continues to create very strong tensions in the Black Sea. Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian drones of being behind the attack on a cargo ship off the Romanian coast on Monday morning, in which two crew members died.
The strike was “carried out by two Russian drones,” the Ukrainian president said on social media, adding that the ship, “belonging to Turkey” and which was in neutral waters, was transporting “corn.” He said Azerbaijani and Indian citizens were on board.
The ship sank
Earlier in the day, the Romanian Interior Ministry announced the death of two crew members and the rescue of 11 others by Romanian teams. According to the Ukrainian president, the captain of the ship was among the victims.
Romanian authorities said the coast guard was alerted around 11 a.m. by the operations center in Constanta on the Black Sea of a fire on board a commercial vessel in Romania's exclusive economic zone, about 30 nautical miles south of Sfantu Gheorghe. “A helicopter from the General Inspectorate of Aviation airlifted the injured on board in order to provide them with emergency medical assistance,” said the ministry, referring to a “complex” rescue operation. The ship then sank.
Turkey worried
Romanian naval authorities identified the 139 meter long vessel as the Royad Mammadov, flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Among the 11 crew members rescued, “three are injured, eight are doing well,” said Irina Puscasu, spokesperson for the naval authorities.
Our file on the War in Ukraine
Turkey has repeatedly expressed concern about attacks targeting shipping in the Black Sea. The number of war-related objects found in these waters has more than doubled in six months, maritime risks expert Ambrey said in a report last month. At least a third of them contained active charges. These items include unexploded ordnance, drones and other unmanned vehicles found washed up on shore or floating at sea. The increase is concentrated in Romanian, Bulgarian and Turkish waters, and the trend is expected to continue.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Romania to request urgent NATO meeting to discuss Black Sea security
Likely · Within days
Turkey to step up calls for increased monitoring of Black Sea by international organizations
Very likely · Within weeks

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