Ukraine: Ship blast near Romania, US accused of stoking war, Zelenskyy faces Russia at UN

A blast has torn through a ship sailing to Ukraine near Romania, announced the authorities who are now searching for possible mines.

“A boat flying the flag of Togo... reported an explosion in the engine room” in the early hours of the morning, the Romanian Ministry of Transport said in a statement.

The boat was near the port of Sulina, in the territorial waters of Romania. It was waiting to be able to use the Ukrainian Bystroe Canal.

The Romanian Naval Authority said there are no indications that the 90-metre-long vessel was hit by a mine.

The Danube Delta, which flows into the Black Sea, has become a vital crossroads for boats wanting to reach or leave Ukraine since Russia recently reimposed its naval blockade. 

Riverways have become a lifeline for Kyiv to export its cereal crops and import consumer goods. 

All 12 crew members were safely brought to shore and taken to hospital. One was treated for minor injuries.

Naval authorities have dispatched a minesweeper and specialist divers to the scene, while helicopters are standing by to intervene if necessary, the Romanian Defence Ministry said.

Dangers posed by sea mines have increased significantly, with some 80 devices discovered in Romanian territorial waters since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. 

Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi accused Washington of fuelling bloodshed in Ukraine, during a lengthy speech to the UN general assembly on Tuesday. 

Raisi also claimed any Iranian-made drones hitting Ukrainian cities had been sold before the war started, against accusations Tehran is aiding Moscow's deadly campaign. 

The hardline Iranian leader said he was in favour of peace in Ukraine, on the same day that Tehran hosted a Russian defence delegation led by defence