From Ars Technica · · 3m
Russian drones attack NATO waters for first time
Suspected Russian drone strikes on ships near Bulgaria and Romania mark an escalation into NATO territorial waters, prompting the alliance to boost counter-drone defences.
In brief
Suspected Russian drone strikes on ships near Bulgaria and Romania mark an escalation into NATO territorial waters, prompting the alliance to boost counter-drone defences. Russian drones have attacked at least seven ships in NATO waters, including inside Romania's territorial waters, forcing NATO to increase…
Drones strike NATO waters
Russian drones are suspected of sinking a cargo ship and setting chemical tankers ablaze near Black Sea coasts of Bulgaria and Romania. At least seven ships have been attacked in NATO exclusive economic zones.
First strike in Romanian waters
The Comoros-flagged chemical tanker Yara J was struck within Romania's territorial waters on October fourteen. All crew members were rescued and accounted for.
Second tanker attacked nearby
The San Marino-flagged tanker Wine Trader was struck one mile outside Romanian territorial waters. Romanian authorities rescued five people but are still searching for seven missing sailors.
More ships targeted in Romanian waters
The Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Sea Destiny was targeted inside Romanian waters overnight. The Tanzanian-flagged tanker Dania J came under attack in the Danube port city of Izmail in Ukraine.
Bulgaria attacked days earlier
On October thirteen, suspected Russian drone attacks sank a cargo ship and forced evacuation of another vessel within two dozen miles of Bulgaria's coast, occurring within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone.
Ukrainian ship Chelsea three struck
The Ukrainian-operated coastal freighter Chelsea three, registered under Malta's flag, was reportedly struck by three aerial drones. All fifteen crew members were safely evacuated by Bulgarian rescue operations.
“it makes no sense for Ukraine to destroy its own ships in the Black Sea, and the results of these strikes favor Russia's interests”
Cargo ship Dignity sinks
The Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Dignity sank after coming under attack. Five mariners were initially rescued, but authorities were still searching for eleven missing crew members.
Earlier attacks in October
On October six, aerial and sea drones sank the Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan and left the Palau-flagged cargo ship Able afire about eighty miles off Bulgaria's coast.
NATO increases counter-drone systems
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated on October fifteen that NATO had increased counter-drone capabilities along the alliance's eastern flank after meeting with leaders of Bulgaria and Romania.
Bulgaria joins NATO Drone Edge
Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov announced on October fourteen that Bulgaria would join NATO's Drone Edge initiative.Member countries are committing a total of forty billion dollars toward developing counter-drone capabilities over the next five years.
NATO examines regional defences
NATO officials began examining the possibility of moving existing anti-drone countermeasures to the region after receiving requests from Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey.
The big picture
Russian drones have attacked at least seven ships in NATO waters, including inside Romania's territorial waters, forcing NATO to increase counter-drone capabilities along its eastern flank.
