Russian drones strike Turkish vessel in Black Sea grain attack
On October 5, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian drones attacked a Turkish civilian vessel carrying corn in neutral waters of the Black Sea. The ship had crew members from Azerbaijan and India on board. According to preliminary reports, the captain died, and the fate of another person remains unclear. Eleven crew members were rescued, with one injured.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine has proposed measures to de-escalate tensions and ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, supported by other countries. He accused Russia of targeting civilian vessels instead of allowing normal shipping and called for international pressure to restore global food security.
However, Romanian authorities earlier reported two fatalities, creating conflicting information about the number of victims. Meanwhile, international efforts to reopen a safe trade route in the Black Sea are ongoing. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have both advocated for restoring grain exports through diplomatic efforts.
Turkey and the UN are planning new talks between Russia and Ukraine to secure a truce in the Black Sea, aiming to protect grain supplies amid rising global food prices.