Von der Leyen warns of the "very worrying" situation in the Black Sea after attacks on ships

On October 6, a Russian drone strike targeted a merchant vessel flying the flag of the Marshall Islands in the Black Sea, resulting in one death and seven injuries. The ship was transporting cargo, specifically rapeseed oil, when the attack occurred near the Ukrainian region of Odesa.

In response to the escalation, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen characterized the situation in the Black Sea as increasingly concerning, specifically condemning actions taken against civilian navigation. Simultaneously, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Ukrainian intelligence has identified plans for a potential massive Russian attack against the Ukrainian rear, stating that the government is currently preparing defensive countermeasures.