# Drone attacks and sinking of Black Sea merchant vessels > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/drone-attacks-on-black-sea-merchant-vessels > Updated: 2026-08-31T05:31:39.000Z. Sources: 56. Developments: 3. Following a drone attack on the MSC vessel ULSAN III, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. suspended all new cargo bookings to and from the Russian port of Novorossiysk. On August 27, the merchant vessel Progress IV, flying the flag of the Dominican Republic, sank in the Black Sea within Romania’s exclusive economic zone, approximately 15 to 20 nautical miles southeast of Sfântu Gheorghe. The vessel was en route to the Turkish port of Tekirdag with 199 containers of sugar and 5,643 tons of clay on board. Crew testimonies indicate the ship was struck by three drones within a single hour, triggering a fire that led to the sinking. While the Romanian Coast Guard rescued all 12 crew members—eight Ukrainians and four Azerbaijanis—one individual sustained hand injuries. The Constanța Prosecutor's Office has opened a criminal investigation into the incident, including potential charges regarding the destruction of a vessel and the illegal operation of unmanned aircraft. Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed the vessel was hit, though the identity and motive of the attackers remain unknown. Authorities are also examining the possibility of contact with a sea mine. Following the sinking, approximately 199 containers carrying sugar have been left drifting in the area, posing a significant hazard to navigation. Reports indicate that currents are pushing these containers south toward Bulgarian waters. In Bulgaria, ecologist Atanas Rusev has raised concerns regarding the transparency of public information and the monitoring of the drifting cargo, even as Bulgarian navigation systems began broadcasting warnings based on Romanian data. ## Claims - All 12 crew members were rescued from the vessel. (corroborated by 24 sources) - The vessel was located about 20 nautical miles southeast of Sfântu Gheorghe in Romania's exclusive economic zone. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The rescue operation was conducted in difficult weather conditions with waves reaching 2.5 meters. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The vessel, named Progress IV, flew the Dominican Republic flag. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The commercial vessel was hit before sinking. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The incident occurred around 19:00 on August 27, 2026. (corroborated by 17 sources) - One crew member sustained serious hand injuries during the incident. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The Red Intervention Plan was activated in Saturn due to a large number of people reporting feeling unwell. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Approximately 30 people at a hotel in Saturn reported feeling unwell. (corroborated by 10 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Saturn resort: Red Intervention Plan activated after mass illness at hotel A Red Intervention Plan was activated in Saturn, Romania, after dozens of hotel guests reported feeling unwell. Sanitary inspectors are investigating the cause, while authorities also warn of drifting cargo. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/progress-iv-cargo-ship-sinks-in-black-sea-leaving-containers-adrift ### 2026-08-27: Progress IV merchant vessel sinks in Black Sea after suspected drone attack The Dominican-flagged merchant vessel Progress IV sank in the Black Sea following a suspected drone attack. All 12 crew members were rescued by the Romanian Coast Guard amid difficult weather conditions. 39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/black-sea-commercial-vessel-sinks-after-fire-12-crew-rescued ### 2026-08-26: MSC suspends Black Sea routes after drone attack on vessel MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. has suspended all new cargo bookings to and from Novorossiysk, Russia, following a drone attack on its vessel, the ULSAN III, in the Black Sea. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/msc-suspends-black-sea-routes-after-drone-attack-on-vessel --- Cite as: Drone attacks and sinking of Black Sea merchant vessels. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/drone-attacks-on-black-sea-merchant-vessels