NATO is increasing its military presence in the Black Sea with additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones after a series of deadly attacks on commercial vessels in the region.
The announcement followed a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, NATO's main decision-making body, at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, October 20, to discuss Black Sea security.
Allied reinforcements and surveillance boost
"Allies have or will send additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, explosive exploitation teams, intelligence personnel, drones, and more to the Black Sea," US Army Col. Martin O'Donnell, a NATO military spokesperson, said in a statement. He added that the alliance's immediate priority is improving its awareness of potential threats in the region through additional surveillance equipment and intelligence sharing.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said on Tuesday: "NATO has already strengthened our posture along the eastern flank, including with counter-drone capabilities. We will continue to stand united and ensure that we are ready and able to address any threat and to keep our one billion people safe."
Deadly strikes on commercial shipping
The decision comes after a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels near the coasts of NATO members Romania and Bulgaria, raising fears about the safety of shipping routes used by Ukraine and other countries in the region.
On October 13, drones struck two commercial vessels off the Bulgarian coast. The Maltese-flagged, Ukrainian-owned Chelsea 3 was hit by three drones near the coastal town of Byala, while the Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity sank near Ktapets, leaving 11 crew members missing. Bulgarian authorities subsequently recovered suspected drone fragments from the damaged Chelsea 3 and began examining them to determine the weapon's origin.
Two days later, seven sailors were reported missing after the Wine Trader, a San Marino-flagged chemical tanker, caught fire near the Romanian port of Sulina amid reported drone activity.
Russia suspected, F-16s intercept drones
Though NATO has not revealed which country it believes is responsible for the attacks, military analysts have named Russia as the likely perpetrator. Moscow has not acknowledged responsibility.
The attacks have prompted growing concerns among NATO members about the possibility of Russia's war against Ukraine spilling over into neighbouring countries.
It is not just maritime routes that have been affected. On October 17, Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down two drones that had entered its territorial waters, according to Romania's Defence Ministry. The country's defence minister, Radu Miruta, said the drones were believed to be Russian-made Geran-4 models, due to their speed and other characteristics.
