The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has expressed concern over the shelling of a civilian vessel with a Ukrainian and Azerbaijani crew in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania.
She wrote about it on the social network X.
"I am deeply concerned by yet another escalation by Russia in the Black Sea. A civilian vessel with a Ukrainian and Azerbaijani crew was shelled off the coast of Romania. These reckless attacks are directed against innocent people and openly violate the norms of international law," von der Leyen wrote.
The head of the European Commission expressed her condolences to the family and loved ones of the seafarer who was killed, as well as to the families of three crew members who are still considered missing. Von der Leyen also thanked the rescue teams involved in the search for the missing.
- Today, a merchant vessel flying the flag of the Comoros sank in the Black Sea about 24 km from the port of Constanța in Romania. It was likely hit by a drone.
- According to Coast Guard representatives, there were 13 people on board. Ten of them were rescued by another merchant vessel that was nearby. Nine of those rescued survived, one person was killed. Three more crew members are considered missing.
- Units of Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs joined the search-and-rescue operation.
- Romania’s President Nicușor Dan called the drone attack on the merchant vessel another sign of escalation by Russia. In the wake of the incident, the Romanian authorities plan to strengthen their capabilities to protect maritime space.