Ukraine calls for strengthening protection of civilian shipping after Russian attack on Turkish grain tanker
6.10.2026 - 10:29
The ship belonged to Turkey, which is making diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation in the Black Sea.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called Russia’s attack on a Turkish civilian ship carrying corn particularly cynical. He reported this on the social network X, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
According to him, Ukraine has repeatedly proposed specific steps to improve shipping safety, but in response Russia has only expanded the geography of attacks.
“This trend will continue until the price of escalation exceeds the benefits that Moscow expects from it,” Sybiga stressed.
He stressed that freedom of navigation cannot depend on whether Moscow decides to respect it on a particular day.
“Corn may seem like just another cargo. But for vulnerable families in Africa, Asia and the Middle East who depend on Ukrainian food imports, blocking such ships could lead to catastrophic consequences, including acute food insecurity, malnutrition or even famine,” the minister added.
Among the necessary steps, Sibiga mentioned increasing pressure on Russia, protecting civilian shipping and sea routes, and holding accountable those responsible for attacks on ships and crews.
The attack occurred on the morning of October 5. A drone hit the Turkish-flagged grain tanker Royad Mammadov about 20 nautical miles off the Romanian coast and 9 miles southeast of OMV Petrom’s Pescăruș platform in Romania’s exclusive economic zone. The ship caught fire and sank.
There were 13 crew members on board, citizens of Azerbaijan and India. According to the Romanian Interior Ministry, two sailors died, 11 were rescued. The Romanian Navy vessels SAR Apollo and SAR Ares were involved in the operation, and three injured were evacuated by Black Hawk helicopter.
The ship left the Ukrainian port of Izmail and was heading to Ravenna in Italy.
On the same day, Russia attacked another civilian ship in the Black Sea with a strike drone.
Meanwhile, India has proposed separate arrangements for the safety of shipping in the Black Sea.
