NATO sends extra patrol planes and radars to the Black Sea after a wave of drone attacks on ships
Allies are deploying maritime patrol aircraft, radars, drones and intelligence staff after attacks near the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts. The EU's Kaja Kallas calls six suspected Russian drone strikes in ten days an unacceptable escalation.
NATO is reinforcing its presence over the Black Sea after a series of deadly drone attacks on merchant ships. 'Allies have or will send additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, explosive exploitation teams, intelligence personnel, drones and more,' alliance spokesman Colonel Martin O'Donnell said on Tuesday, adding that the priority is better situational awareness through more sensors and data sharing.
The announcement followed a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels on Black Sea security. NATO, Romania and Bulgaria have not formally attributed the attacks to any country. Military analysts say Russia almost certainly carried them out; Moscow has not acknowledged responsibility.
Romania reported two deaths on 5 October when a ship caught fire and sank, and last week seven sailors were reported missing after drones hit two chemical tankers near the Romanian coast. Suspected Russian drones also struck two cargo ships off Bulgaria on 13 October.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said 'six attacks in 10 days by suspected Russian drones marks a dangerous and unacceptable escalation', suggesting the Kremlin wants to cut Ukraine's grain export revenue, and warned of a 'perfect storm' for global food supplies already hit by droughts and the war in the Middle East.