NATO adds aircraft, radar and drones to Black Sea after deadly shipping attacks
NATO says member states are sending maritime patrol aircraft, radar, drones and intelligence teams to the Black Sea after drone attacks on commercial vessels near Bulgaria and Romania. The alliance has not named a country responsible; analysts cited by Reuters and The Kyiv Independent point to Russia, which has not acknowledged responsibility.
Bottom line — At least 23 sailors were reported missing or dead after attacks on vessels near Romania and Bulgaria over 10 days.
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NATO's North Atlantic Council discussed Black Sea security at its Brussels headquarters on October 20, according to Reuters and The Kyiv Independent.
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NATO spokesman Martin O'Donnell said the immediate priority is improving surveillance and intelligence sharing, The Kyiv Independent reported.
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Romania said two F-16s shot down two drones over its territorial waters on October 17, according to The Kyiv Independent.
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Bulgaria has asked NATO for combat aircraft and anti-drone systems, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told Baird Maritime.
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The Black Sea is a route for Ukrainian agricultural exports, and the attacks have raised concerns about civilian crews and shipping security, The Kyiv Independent reported.