Drone Strikes in the Black Sea Raise Fears of Russian Escalation to Test NATO's Response
Bulgaria says the attacks have killed 2 people and left at least 25 missing, prompting it to seek stronger NATO air defenses.
- Drone attacks this month struck at least seven cargo vessels in the Black Sea off Romania and Bulgaria, leaving two people dead and at least 25 missing in the two countries' exclusive economic zones.
- Attacks in exclusive economic zones threaten global shipping routes, with alliance members wondering if Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking escalation to test NATO's support for Ukraine amid its war against Moscow.
- On Tuesday, rescuers evacuated 15 crew from the Ukraine-operated Chelsea, while 11 crew from the Dignity remain missing; a Thursday drone strike on the San Marino-flagged Wine Trader left five rescued and seven missing.
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met Thursday with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Romanian President Nicusor Dan, stating NATO has "strengthened our posture along the eastern flank including with increasing counter-drone capabilities."
- Defense analyst Radu Tudor raised uncertainty about whether Article 5's mutual defense guarantee covers strikes in exclusive economic zones, noting "And it seems that until now, it isn't.
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A "Dangerous and Unacceptable Climb": the Black Sea, the Blind Spot of NATO's Defense Against Russia
DECRYPTAGE - Six attacks on merchant ships in ten days cost the lives of more than 20 sailors. The Atlantic Alliance promises reinforcements to Romania and Bulgaria.
Russia's Black Sea strikes in Romanian waters test Nato's response - Carnegie Europe
Credit: bne IntelliNewsRussia's drone strike on a tanker inside Romania's territorial waters is a new escalation that tests Nato's mutual defence clause, Carnegie Europe senior fellow Dimitar Bechev argues.
Kaya Callas, head of Eurodiplomatics, accused Russia of ignoring the regular initiatives proposed by Kiev for a limited "armistice" in the Black Sea. Callas is outraged that the Russian Federation has recently intensified attacks on Ukrainian sea routes and port infrastructure.
In recent days, at least seven merchant ships have been attacked by drones in the Black Sea off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria.
Ukraine is losing about 60 million euros of export revenue every day due to the intensification of Russian attacks on export routes, and the EU plans to respond in three ways.
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