Romania Says Russia Is Endangering Civilian Ships in the Black Sea After Attacks Kill Eight
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Coju says four merchant ships were attacked within 24 hours in the Black Sea, killing eight people. Romania is seeking a NATO meeting and proposes a joint military command post for the region's NATO members.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Coju has accused Russia of turning the Black Sea into a dangerous zone for civilian vessels in its war against Ukraine, she said on the platform X. According to her, four merchant ships have been attacked over the past 24 hours, including in Romania's territorial waters and its exclusive economic zone (the maritime area where a state has rights over resources), and eight people died. Romania is a member of NATO, the North Atlantic military alliance.
Attack on a ship in Romania's zone
This morning an attack hit a vessel in Romania's exclusive economic zone. The Romanian coast guard and emergency service are actively searching for missing people. Five rescued crew members were taken to hospital, where they received treatment for burns and smoke poisoning. Coju said their condition is stable.
The minister stressed that killing merchant seafarers in the Black Sea and elsewhere in the world is a crime, and that Russia bears full responsibility. She described the attacks as brutal and deadly strikes on civilians.
Drones in Romanian airspace
Alongside the maritime attacks, Coju pointed to a growing number of Russian Shahed drones and other aerial and naval unmanned vehicles entering Romanian territory. Three did so today alone. Romania's armed forces scrambled fighter jets for preventive airspace patrols.
Romania's steps within NATO
Romania has informed its allies and European partners about the latest incidents. An investigation is under way, and the country is closely coordinating with allies to strengthen NATO's collective ability to respond effectively to such incidents and reinforce the alliance's deterrence and defence posture.
Coju said it has been agreed that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will convene a NATO meeting in the coming days. Given increasingly frequent drone attacks on commercial ships, Romania has proposed that NATO's Black Sea states set up a joint military command post and lead it on a rotating basis.
