After seven strikes on cargo ships near NATO members Romania and Bulgaria last month, the US-led alliance said it would deploy maritime patrol aircraft, radars and drones to bolster its eastern Black Sea flank, the Straits Times reports from London and Bucharest.

Three days later, on 23 October, another ship was hit just outside Romanian waters. Last week a Greek container ship was sunk by naval drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. Analysts said they had little doubt these were Russian attacks; a naval drone seen in video of the latest strike resembled a Russian variant, according to shipping security firm Ambrey.

“I think it’s undeniably an escalation,” said Sidharth Kaushal of the London-based RUSI think-tank. Russia denies targeting Ukraine’s neighbours with drones and says European governments are escalating by arming Kyiv; its defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Many of the ships hit in October were anchored near or sailing to or from a key Romanian canal used by Ukraine for exports. One was in Romanian territorial waters; the other eight were in Romania’s or Bulgaria’s EEZ.

Iulia Joja of the Middle East Institute said Russia’s attacks factor in the West’s aversion to escalation: “This is about testing these red lines, with full awareness that we will do everything possible to take the most minimal measures.”

A NATO official called Russian moves aimed at deterring allies from supporting Ukraine a serious security threat and said the alliance’s commitment to all members, including those on the Black Sea, was “ironclad.” The official noted a need for cost-effective counter-drone kit and more than $40 billion already pledged over five years. For Romania the Black Sea is vital for trade and for the Neptun Deep offshore gas project — approached by a naval drone in August.

Source consulted: War widens in the Black Sea in a test of NATO red lines — The Straits Times.

Image: USS Porter in Constanța (Wikimedia Commons, public domain).

Sources consulted: War widens in the Black Sea in a test of NATO red lines — The Straits Times.