The number of maritime casualties in the Black Sea in 2026 has reached over 40, indicating that this region has become the most dangerous maritime route in the world. Meanwhile, the casualty figures in the Strait of Hormuz are limited to 24.
Recent attacks in the Black Sea
The latest series of attacks in the Black Sea began on Friday when the tanker Khoryo, flying the Comoros flag, was targeted by a drone attack approximately 13 nautical miles from the port of Constanta in Romania. The ship, which was en route to the port of Sulina on the Danube, sank following the attack. In this incident, one sailor was killed, three went missing, and nine others were rescued.
Read more: Collision of MSC cargo ship and Mein Schiff 3 cruise ship in the port of Bremerhaven
Russia's claims and Romania's response
The President of Romania, Nicusor Dan, identified Russia as responsible for this attack, describing it as another escalation of Moscow's war against Ukraine. On Sunday, a Romanian navigation warning confirmed that the ship Khoryo was still in a state of partial sinking and moving south, with vessels required to maintain a distance of at least one nautical mile from it.
Additionally, on Friday, Russia made claims regarding attacks on port facilities in Vilkovo on the Danube, as well as a cargo ship heading towards Odessa. On Saturday, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported further attacks on Chornomorsk, claiming to have destroyed a workshop for unmanned ships.
These attacks have continued in recent days, including assaults on cargo ships heading towards Chornomorsk and Odessa. However, Russia's claims regarding these ships and port facilities have yet to be independently verified.
This escalation of violence is not limited to Ukrainian waters, with statistics indicating that in October, nine commercial ships were attacked in the waters of Romania and Bulgaria, including several vessels that sank or were severely damaged near the coasts of these two NATO member countries.
NATO has responded to these developments by announcing that it will deploy surveillance air forces and additional equipment to enhance monitoring in the region.
Read more: Unprecedented oil and gas production in the Americas after Gulf unrest · NATO to strengthen monitoring of the Black Sea after attacks on commercial ships
