Two tankers struck near Romania

Seven sailors are missing after drones struck the Wine Trader and Yara J near Romania's Black Sea coast, setting them ablaze and raising security concerns.

NATO says drones came from Russia

A NATO military source told Reuters the drones that hit the two tankers inside Romanian territorial waters were of Russian origin.

“The drones that caused the fires on board two tankers inside Romanian territorial waters were of Russian origin.”

Romania's president demands action

Romania's president Nicușor Dan said commercial ships are being attacked and sunk. He wrote that this is unacceptable and has to stop.

“Commercial ships are being attacked and sunk. This is unacceptable and it has to stop.”

Crew status and ship details

Seven missing crew were from the Wine Trader, a San Marino-flagged tanker travelling from Tunisia to Romania. All crew on the Yara J were safe.

Pattern of attacks in the region

At least twenty three sailors have been reported missing or killed after attacks on commercial shipping near Bulgaria and Romania coasts in the past ten days.

NATO and EU respond to escalation

NATO will discuss the issue at a North Atlantic Council meeting next week. EU leaders say attacks on civilian shipping constitute a serious violation of international maritime law.