A series of drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea has left at least two people dead and 25 crew members missing, raising concerns about maritime security and the risk of further escalation in rRussian strikes kill three in Ukraine, leave 600,000 without power
The attacks have targeted at least seven commercial vessels this month near the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria, both members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), according to the Associated Press.
The incidents have heightened concerns that the conflict could increasingly threaten commercial shipping and bring neighbouring countries closer to direct confrontation.
In the latest incidents, two tankers were struck by drones near Romania’s Black Sea coast, triggering fires and prompting search-and-rescue operations for missing sailors.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed that the vessels had been hit but stopped short of directly blaming Russia.
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A NATO military source reportedly identified the drones responsible for the fires aboard the two tankers as Russian in origin, although responsibility for the wider series of attacks has not been conclusively established.
The vessels involved were the San Marino-flagged tanker Wine Trader and the Comoros-flagged tanker Yara J. Five crew members from the Wine Trader were rescued, while seven others remained missing. All crew members aboard the Yara J were reported safe.
Romanian authorities said difficult weather conditions had complicated rescue efforts.
The latest incidents followed attacks on two other vessels off Bulgaria’s coast earlier in the week. One ship, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity, sank, leaving 11 crew members missing, while all 15 crew members aboard the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3 were rescued.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the pattern of attacks raised serious questions about who was responsible.
“There is no logic in Ukraine attacking its own ships and crews, given that the outcome of all these attacks favours Russia — and indeed, the logic points in that direction,” Radev said, according to the Associated Press.
He added that investigators had yet to establish conclusive proof of responsibility.
Russia’s ambassador to Bulgaria said she had no information from the Russian Defence Ministry about the attacks and raised the possibility of provocations by other parties.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance was working with its members in the Black Sea region to respond to the growing threat.
“NATO will continue to work closely with our Allies in the Black Sea, adjusting our deterrence and defence posture as needed,” Rutte said.
The incidents have also raised questions about NATO’s response to attacks affecting commercial shipping near its eastern members. Under Article 5 of the alliance’s founding treaty, an armed attack against one member can trigger collective-defence measures. Whether the reported incidents would qualify for such a response would depend on the circumstances and the alliance’s assessment.
Beyond their security implications, the attacks threaten an important commercial corridor used to transport grain and other commodities from the Black Sea region to international markets.
Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports have forced Kyiv to rely more heavily on alternative shipping routes near Romania and Bulgaria to move agricultural exports to customers in Africa and the Middle East.
Further attacks could increase insurance premiums for vessels operating in the region, raising transportation costs and potentially affecting international food markets.
Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have strengthened cooperation on maritime security, while discussions continue over additional measures to protect civilian shipping.
As search-and-rescue operations continue, the attacks have reinforced concerns that the war in Ukraine is increasingly threatening civilian maritime traffic and the wider regional economy.
