Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (acting), Oana Țoiu, has placed full responsibility on Russia for a series of attacks on civilian merchant ships in the Black Sea. According to her, Russian strikes are turning the region into a dangerous zone for commercial shipping.
In a statement published on the evening of October 15 on the X platform, Țoiu said that four merchant vessels had been targeted over the past 24 hours, including in Romania’s territorial waters and its exclusive economic zone. Eight people were killed as a result.
“In its war of aggression against Ukraine, in violation of all provisions of international law, Russia is turning the Black Sea into a dangerous area for civilian ships. The killing of merchant mariners — both in this region and anywhere in the world — is a crime. Russia bears full responsibility for these developments,” the Romanian foreign minister said.
She described the incidents as “callous and murderous attacks against civilians” and noted an increase in Russian drones entering Romanian airspace. Three such incidents were recorded on Thursday alone; Romanian fighter jets were scrambled for patrols.
Romanian Coast Guard and emergency services are conducting search-and-rescue operations. Five crew members have already been taken by helicopter to a hospital in Constanța; their condition is stable, with some receiving treatment for burns and smoke inhalation. The search for the missing continues.
Bucharest has informed its allies and European partners. It was agreed that a meeting of the North Atlantic Council will be convened in the coming days under the chairmanship of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, following talks with Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. Romania is also calling for a ceasefire in the Black Sea to reduce risks to civilian vessels and restore the safety of navigation on a vital artery of global food trade.
