Romanian Prime Minister Luca Nicolicescu announced on Sunday that three commercial ships were attacked by drones in the Black Sea, near the Romanian channel of Sulina. The attacks occurred on Saturday evening, and Romanian fighter jets were scrambled twice in response. The incidents have raised concerns about the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with implications for regional security.
According to Defense Minister Stefan Radu Oprea, the attacks did not result in any injuries, and the crews of the ships were able to extinguish fires that broke out on board. The ships targeted included a Greek-flagged oil and chemical tanker, a bulk cargo ship, and a product tanker flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Another general cargo ship, the "Larisa 1" under the flag of Palau, was also attacked by a drone on Friday evening.
The increasing number of attacks on commercial vessels near Romania and Bulgaria, both NATO members, suggests that the maritime escalation between Russia and Ukraine is becoming a significant challenge for the alliance in the Black Sea region. The Sulina channel is a vital Romanian shipping route that connects the Danube River to the Black Sea and is used by Ukraine for export operations.
The source of the drones remains unknown, but Romanian officials attribute the attacks to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Prime Minister Nicolicescu stated that these incidents are unacceptable and represent a violation of international law, reflecting the deterioration of the security situation caused by Russia's war on Ukraine.
Defense Minister Oprea will attend a meeting with NATO defense ministers in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday, where he will discuss the need for allied support, including surveillance and monitoring aircraft, as well as specialized equipment to counter drones. Romania is seeking to bolster its security measures in response to the increasing threats in the region.
A significant number of ships that have been attacked in October and November were moored near or were traveling to and from the Sulina channel. These incidents have raised concerns about the security of shipping operations in the Black Sea and the potential impact on regional trade and stability.
The Romanian government is working to address the security challenges posed by the conflict in Ukraine, and the country is coordinating with its NATO allies to enhance its defenses. The incidents have highlighted the need for increased vigilance and cooperation among regional partners to ensure the safety of shipping operations and prevent further escalations.
Key points
- Three commercial ships were attacked by drones in the Black Sea near Romania's Sulina channel, with no reported injuries.
