Drone attacks on seven Black Sea vessels test NATO’s readiness

At least seven cargo vessels have been attacked by drones in the Black Sea near Romania and Bulgaria. The incidents have caused deaths and missing crew members, raising questions for NATO about protecting civilian shipping.

On October 15, a drone struck the San Marino-flagged chemical tanker Wine Trader, which was sailing from Tunisia to Romania. A fire broke out on board: five crew members were rescued and seven remain missing.

Western officials suspect Russia, but its direct involvement has not been proven. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called one incident a strike by two Russian drones on a civilian vessel, while Romanian President Nicușor Dan did not identify who operated the drones.

Vessels attacked near Bulgaria and Romania

The tanker Yara J was attacked the day before while sailing from Turkey to Romania. Near Bulgaria, Chelsea 3 and HS Dignity were also attacked: all 15 crew members of Chelsea 3 were evacuated, while 11 people from HS Dignity remain missing.

Earlier this month, a Togo-flagged vessel sank in Bulgaria’s economic zone; reports said 12 sailors were aboard. A Turkish grain carrier sank near Romania, killing two people and prompting the rescue of 11 crew members.

NATO discusses shipping protection

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he had discussed Black Sea security with the leaders of Romania and Bulgaria. He said the alliance had strengthened its eastern flank and its counter-drone capabilities.

It remains unclear whether collective-defence guarantees apply to attacks in allies’ exclusive economic zones. Romanian analyst Radu Tudor said NATO was responding too slowly, but whether Article 5 applies directly remains under debate.

A protected corridor for commercial vessels is among the possible responses. A source cited by the Associated Press said Turkey was interested in talks on convoy escorts, but Romania lacks sufficient air-defence systems on its ships to provide such protection.

Risks to trade and insurance

The attacks have spread from waters near Odesa to Romania’s economic zone and Bulgarian territorial waters. Experts cited by the Financial Times said the incidents add a significant threat to regional shipping and may breach international maritime law.

Trade through the port of Constanța has not yet been affected, but insurance costs could rise for ships passing through the Bosphorus because of the threat of attacks. In July, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey expanded mine-clearance cooperation, while Bulgaria plans to join NATO’s Drone Edge initiative, which envisages more than $40 billion in counter-drone investment over five years.