15.11.2026 19:51
Three commercial ships in Romania's territorial waters in the Black Sea were targeted by unmanned aerial vehicles. After the attacks, the Romanian army scrambled its fighter jets twice, while fires broke out on the ships. Reacting to the incidents, in which there was no loss of life or injuries, Romania requested support from NATO with surveillance aircraft and UAV defense systems.
In the Black Sea, where the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, new attacks were carried out on commercial ships near the Romanian coast. After three ships were hit by UAVs around the Sulina Canal, where the Danube River opens into the Black Sea, the Romanian army went on alert. Following the attacks, fighter jets were scrambled twice.
3 SHIPS TARGETED IN ROMANIAN TERRITORIAL WATERS
In the attacks carried out on the night of Saturday, November 14, the Greek-flagged oil and chemical tanker Evia Petrol V, the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged bulk carrier Marsol, and the oil products tanker Ali Najafov were targeted.
According to a statement by the Romanian Ministry of Defense, Evia Petrol V was hit 4 nautical miles and Marsol 5 nautical miles southeast of the Sulina Canal. Both ships were reported to be in Romanian territorial waters at the time of the attack.
Romanian Defense Minister Stefan Radu Oprea announced that the fires that broke out on the ships due to the attacks were extinguished by the crew and that there were no dead or injured.
ROMANIA SCRAMBLED WARPLANES TWICE
Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu announced that the army took action after the UAV attacks on commercial ships.
Niculescu reported that Romanian Air Force fighter jets were scrambled twice due to the attacks in the Black Sea.
IT EMERGED THAT ANOTHER SHIP WAS HIT
Oprea announced that before yesterday's incidents, a dry cargo ship was also attacked by UAVs on Friday night.
No loss of life occurred in this attack either, while Romania-based Digi24 television reported that the targeted ship was the Palau-flagged Larissa 1.
"IT IS A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW"
Niculescu described the targeting of commercial ships as a violation of international law.
Niculescu said, "These incidents are unacceptable and a violation of international law. They reflect the worsening security situation caused by Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine."
While Romanian authorities did not disclose from which side the UAVs used in the attacks were sent, Russia rejects accusations that it targets neighboring countries with UAVs.
THEY REQUESTED MILITARY SUPPORT FROM NATO
After the successive attacks in the Black Sea, Romania called on NATO allies for military support.
Defense Minister Oprea stated that he would raise the issue at the defense ministers' meeting to be held in Brussels, and said, "We need our allies to show solidarity by conducting patrol activities with surveillance aircraft and providing defense equipment against UAVs."
After Romania's request, France temporarily deployed an Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft to the country.
ATTACKS CONCENTRATED ON A CRITICAL TRADE ROUTE
The Sulina Canal, which provides a connection between the Danube River and the Black Sea, is of strategic importance for both Romania's maritime trade and Ukraine's exports.
It was noted that a significant portion of the commercial ships attacked in October and November were anchored around the canal or waiting to enter and exit.
The increase in attacks on commercial ships in the region has also increased concerns among NATO members Romania and Bulgaria regarding Black Sea security.
Source: AA / IHA / Reuters