Drone Strikes in the Black Sea Raise Fears of Russian Escalation to Test NATO's Response
Bulgaria asked NATO for aircraft and counter-drone systems after attacks on at least seven commercial vessels left two people dead, officials said.
- 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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155 Articles
At least seven merchant ships have been attacked in the Black Sea in the past ten days, an expert says, part of Russia's hybrid warfare aimed at undermining European support for Ukraine.
Several merchant ships in the Black Sea have been hit by drones within a few days. Bulgaria is now demanding military reinforcement and is agreeing with Romania and Turkey.
After the series of drone attacks on trading ships in the Black Sea, Bulgaria has officially requested NATO to station combat aircraft and drone defense systems.
With more and more attacks on ships in the Black Sea.
Bulgaria Asks NATO for Aircraft, Air Defenses and Counter-Drone Systems as Black Sea Attacks Intensify
Bulgaria has requested additional aircraft, air defense systems, counter-drone equipment, and air patrols from NATO as attacks on vessels in the Black Sea intensify, Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said, according to Novinite on October 16.
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