Drone strike sinks Khoryv off Romania, killing one

A drone strike sank the Comoros-flagged cargo ship Khoryv off Romania’s Black Sea coast on Friday, October 23, killing one crew member, leaving three missing and prompting Romanian President Nicușor Dan to blame Russia. Romanian authorities said the vessel caught fire, capsized and sank about 13 nautical miles off Constanța, just beyond Romania’s territorial waters. Nine of the 13 crew members were rescued. The crew consisted of 10 Ukrainians and three Azerbaijanis, officials said. Rescue teams searched for the missing sailors, but unfavorable weather and low visibility prevented the deployment of a helicopter, according to Romania’s naval authority. The ship sent a distress signal at about 10 a.m. local time, and Romanian authorities launched a search-and-rescue operation. Dan said the strike was part of what he described as Russia’s escalation in its war against Ukraine. He urged Moscow to accept ceasefire proposals from the United States and Europe. Romania’s prime minister also condemned the attack, calling it unacceptable and a violation of international law. The reported circumstances of the strike do not independently establish who launched the drone or whether the...