Black Sea Drone Attacks Leave 31 Seafarers Dead or Missing
A near standstill in commercial shipping has emerged as maritime risk firms attribute 40 of 45 recent strikes to Russian forces.
By Hiroshi Ferrari ·
Seafarers operating in the Black Sea face a new level of peril after nearly 50 commercial vessels were attacked in October. The violence has forced many operators to halt voyages, leaving thousands of sailors in limbo and disrupting a critical trade route for global grain and energy markets. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has expanded to the western Black Sea, directly threatening shipping lanes adjacent to NATO borders.
The most severe incident involved the cargo ship HS Dignity, which was struck by a sea drone on October 13. The vessel, carrying 16 Syrian and Egyptian crew members, began to sink in heavy swells. Chief officer Ashraf Mamdouh described how a boat approached the sinking ship in the dark, only for the crew to realize it was part of the attacking group. The drone rammed the hull before the lifeboats could be fully launched. Five crew members survived, while 11 remain missing.
Maritime risk firm Ambrey reported more than 500 attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov this year. The firm believes Russia was responsible for 40 of the 45 attacks recorded in October. Russia’s Ministry of Defence acknowledged striking dozens of ships, stating that the targets supported Ukraine’s military. NATO has responded by deploying additional patrol boats and radar systems to monitor the region.
The strikes have concentrated in the western Black Sea, off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania. On Friday, a Comoros-flagged ship was hit just outside Romanian territorial waters. One body has been recovered from its 13-person crew, and three people remain missing. Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed Russia for the attack. The Philippine government has also barred its citizens from boarding vessels in the northern Black Sea.
Shipping companies are adjusting their fleets to manage the risk. ED Shipping, based in Turkey, has laid up 19 of its 26 vessels. Chief financial officer Demre İşcen said the company is losing millions of dollars each month. The firm’s ship Circon was hit in June, killing two crew members. Ukraine said the targeted vessels carried stolen grain and military cargo, a claim İşcen disputes.
Survivors are dealing with the aftermath in port. Mamdouh and the other survivors are waiting in Bulgaria for new documents to return home. Mamdouh said he will not return to the Black Sea. The father of 18-year-old missing sailor Hamza Suleiman said his son was on his first voyage and had expressed fear after another ship was struck earlier in the month.
