Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Fire on Black Sea Ship Kills Two, Ukraine Blames Russia
A ship caught fire in the Black Sea outside Romania’s territorial waters.
Romanian authorities said two people died and 11 crew members were rescued.
One rescued crew member was injured.
Ukraine’s president said Russian drones caused the fire.
He said the ship’s captain died and another person was still unaccounted for.
That account differs from Romania’s report that two people had died.
The ship was carrying corn and was headed to Italy.
Russia had not commented on the incident at the time of the report.
Romanian authorities said two people died after a fire aboard the ship Royad Mammadov in the Black Sea.
Romania’s Interior Ministry said 11 crew members were rescued, including one who was injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy blamed two Russian drones, saying the ship was carrying corn and owned by Türkiye.
Zelenskiy said the captain was killed and one other person’s fate was still being established, differing from Romania’s report of two deaths.
The ship was sailing under the flag of St Kitts & Nevis and had been headed to Ravenna, Italy.
- Who
- The ship’s crew, including Azerbaijani and Indian citizens, according to Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
- What
- A fire aboard the ship Royad Mammadov; Romanian authorities reported two deaths and 11 crew members rescued.
- When
- Monday, October 5; the report does not specify the year.
- Where
- In the Black Sea outside Romania’s territorial waters.
- Why
- Ukraine blamed Russian drones for the fire; Romanian authorities did not comment on its cause.
Ukraine’s account
Romania’s account
Cause of the fire
Ukraine’s account
Volodymyr Zelenskiy said two Russian drones struck the civilian vessel.
Romania’s account
Romanian authorities reported the fire but did not comment on its cause; Russian authorities had not immediately commented.
Number of deaths
Ukraine’s account
Zelenskiy confirmed the captain was killed and said the fate of one other person was still being established.
Romania’s account
Romanian authorities said two people had died.
- Ship
- Royad Mammadov
- Reported deaths
- Romanian authorities said two people died; Zelenskiy confirmed the captain’s death and said another person was still unaccounted for.
- Crew rescued
- 11, including one injured crew member
- Cargo
- Corn, according to Zelenskiy
- Destination
- Ravenna, Italy
- Flag
- St Kitts & Nevis
- Cause
- Ukraine blamed Russian drones; Romanian authorities did not state a cause.