A massive search and rescue operation is underway off the Romanian coast in the Black Sea following a new drone attack on a commercial ship that both the European Commission and Romania call as another Russian escalation.
A commercial ship was hit by a drone off the Romanian coast on Friday morning, killing one sailor, with three others missing and nine rescued as the vessel caught fire and capsized, in an incident that Romania's President Nicușor Dan called "a new example of the tragic consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine."
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The Romanian coast guard led a massive search and rescue operation 13 nautical miles east of Romania's largest port Constanta looking for the missing sailors, but adverse weather and reduced visibility prevented a helicopter rescue, Romanian authorities told Euronews Romania.
Romania's Naval Authority said the vessel, identified as the Comoros Islands-flagged Khoryv, sent a distress signal after the drone strike around 10 am local time (9 am CET).
It sustained "major damage and capsized, with an imminent risk of sinking," according to the Romanian Naval Authority.
The ship's crew consisted of 10 Ukrainian citizens and three Azerbaijani nationals. The Romanian Ministry of Interior said that “10 were recovered by another commercial vessel in the area, nine alive and one deceased, while three others are still missing,” according to Euronews Romania.
Dan said in a statement that "this attack is a new example of the tragic consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine," indicating that Romania has determined that the attack originated from Russia.
"It is time for Russia to take seriously the peace initiatives of the United States and Europe, to accept the ceasefire proposals, and to end the war," Romania's president said.
Romania's Prime Minister Luca Niculescu said that "what happened today, once again, in the Black Sea outside Romania's territorial waters, is unacceptable and a flagrant violation of international law and specifically of freedom of navigation, a result of Russia's escalation."
Niculescu announced that "we will continue our efforts with our allies and coordination with Bulgaria and Turkey to ensure freedom of navigation and maritime security."
In a later statement, Romania's prime minister said that he had "an in-depth phone conversation" with Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi in which he "reaffirmed Romania’s steadfast solidarity with Ukraine in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as our continued support."
He said the two leaders "agreed to strengthen our joint projects in the fields of drones, infrastructure, logistics and energy to enhance regional connectivity and security."
"Our strategic partnership provides the framework for continued close coordination, including on the protection of the rights of persons belonging to the Romanian minority in Ukraine, which remains high on our agenda."
"The Romanian government remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s accession to the EU," Romania's new prime minister said, outlining his position as he has just been sworn into office.
The attack took place right outside Romania's territorial waters. The country's new Defence Minister Ștefan Radu Oprea said the army can intervene only when the drones enter Romania's airspace.
Both European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa condemned the attack, declaring that they stand in "full solidarity" with Romania.
Von der Leyen said she was "deeply alarmed by yet another Russian escalation in the Black Sea."
"These reckless attacks target innocent lives and openly defy international law," she said in a statement.
"My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the sailor that was killed. And with the families of the three crew members still missing. My gratitude goes to the rescue teams working tirelessly to find them."
Offering condolences to the victims families, Costa said that "the EU stands in full solidarity with Romania following this morning’s attack on a vessel off its coast."
"Attacks off the coasts of EU Member States in the Black Sea are increasing as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Such attacks are unacceptable and must stop," the EU Council president said.
"The EU is united in its opposition to Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and its escalating hybrid campaigns," Costa added.
This is the latest drone attack incident in the Black Sea off Romania and Bulgaria's coasts, on NATO's eastern flank, after a series of similar attacks over the last weeks which resulted in casualties and ships' destruction.
Romania and Bulgaria have requested NATO's support for surveillance and control systems as well as response capabilities against drone attacks in the Black Sea.
Niculescu said that "our country is set to benefit from additional equipment following Romania's efforts at the NATO allied level. "
EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas told the European Parliament on Tuesday that suspected Russian drone strikes on civilian shipping in the Black Sea are piling further pressure on global food supplies.
The EU's foreign policy chief said vessels had come under attack six times in 10 days, describing it as "a dangerous and unacceptable escalation".
Kallas accused the Kremlin of trying to choke off Ukraine’s income while Russian troops make little progress on the battlefield.
Follow Euronews Romania for continuous breaking news coverage of this developing story.