Tanya Polyakovska, Lesya Leshchenko17:50, 23.10.26

The Romanian president says it’s time for Russia to “accept ceasefire proposals and end the war.”

The Comoros-flagged merchant vessel Khoryv sank in the Black Sea near Constanta, Romania, after a drone attack. According to Digi24 , this happened 13 nautical miles east of Constanta. The vessel suffered serious damage and capsized.

There were 13 people on board: 10 Ukrainian citizens and three Azerbaijani citizens. Nine sailors were rescued. One crew member died, and three others are missing.

What the Romanian authorities say

Romanian President Nicos Dan considers the attack on the Khoryv vessel a new “example of the tragic consequences” of Russia’s war against Ukraine. He says that “it is time for Russia to take the peace initiatives of the United States and Europe seriously, accept the ceasefire proposals and end the war.”

In addition, the country’s Foreign Minister Dan Neculescu called the attack on a merchant ship in the Black Sea a blatant violation of international law and freedom of navigation.

He said Bucharest was working with NATO allies, including Bulgaria and Turkey, to accelerate the implementation of additional surveillance capabilities agreed at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council.

Updated at 17:50. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine responded to the incident and reported one dead Ukrainian.

The Foreign Ministry clarified that there were 14 crew members on board the KHORYV. According to preliminary information, the cause of the sinking could have been a drone strike.

“The Embassy of Ukraine in Romania has received information from the Romanian side about one deceased sailor – a citizen of Ukraine. Two more crew members – citizens of Ukraine do not require medical assistance. Four citizens of Ukraine, including the captain of the vessel, were taken to the hospital. We are grateful to the Romanian services for rescuing the Ukrainians,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement to journalists.

In addition, the department emphasized that the embassy continues to establish the circumstances of the incident, the whereabouts and health status of the rescued citizens, and maintains contact with the competent authorities of Romania.

(C)UNIAN 2026