NATO has deployed additional maritime patrol aircraft and drones to the Black Sea following a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels in the region. The attacks, which have targeted ships near Romania and Bulgaria, have raised concerns about the safety of shipping routes used by Ukraine.
The attacks include incidents such as the drone strikes on two commercial vessels off Bulgaria's coast and the fire on a chemical tanker near Romania's Black Sea port. NATO has not yet identified the perpetrators, though military analysts point to Russia as the likely source.
NATO has increased its surveillance and intelligence capabilities in the region to enhance situational awareness. The moves come as the Black Sea remains a critical route for Ukraine's agricultural exports, with concerns growing about the risks to civilian crews and maritime security.