NATO to deploy more patrol aircraft, drones to Black Sea after deadly ship attacks
Photo: NATO members have sent or will send agents and intelligence teams (Getty Images)
NATO will send more maritime patrol aircraft, electronic warfare systems, and drones to the Black Sea following a series of deadly attacks on vessels in the region that may be linked to Russia's war against Ukraine, reports Reuters.
According to the agency, the alliance's statement came after NATO's main decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, discussed security in the Black Sea at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.
In addition to aircraft, drones, and electronic warfare systems, NATO members have sent or will send agents and intelligence teams to conduct forensic analysis of explosive substances, NATO spokesperson and US Army Colonel Martin O'Donnell said.
"NATO has already strengthened our posture along the eastern flank, including with counter-drone capabilities. We will continue to stand united and ensure that we are ready and able to address any threat and to keep our one billion people safe," NATO chief spokesperson Allison Hart wrote on X.
Background
NATO has not assigned responsibility for the recent series of attacks to any country. Military analysts say Russia almost certainly carried out all of these attacks, but Moscow has not acknowledged responsibility for them.
Last week, seven sailors went missing after drones struck two chemical tankers off Romania's Black Sea coast, causing them to catch fire. This raised new concerns about security along an important shipping route used by Ukraine.
At least five other cargo vessels have been attacked off the coasts of Romania and neighboring Bulgaria, a NATO member, over the past 10 days, with at least 23 sailors reported missing or dead.
Bulgaria would join NATO's initiative to counter drones following the attacks on vessels in the Black Sea.
