The latest incidents include strikes on two chemical tankers near Romania’s Black Sea coast on October 15, 2026, which set both vessels ablaze and left seven sailors missing from one of the ships.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed that drones had hit the vessels but said it was too early to establish responsibility.
Dan told reporters in Brussels ahead of a meeting of European Union leaders, adding that Romanian authorities needed more information about the attacks.
The incidents followed other attacks on commercial shipping near Romania and neighbouring Bulgaria, both NATO members whose proximity to Ukraine has made the western Black Sea an increasingly sensitive security area.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met Dan and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev on October 15 to discuss maritime security and the latest attacks on commercial vessels.
In a statement posted on X, Rutte said NATO had strengthened its military posture along the eastern flank including increasing counter drone capabilities.
“NATO will continue to work closely with our Allies in the Black Sea, adjusting our deterrence and defence posture as needed,” he said.
Romania has called for additional allied support to protect its territory and shipping routes while Bulgaria has sought assistance to improve maritime and airspace surveillance and strengthen its ability to respond to drone threats.
The attacks have also raised concerns about the safety of commercial shipping along routes used to transport Ukrainian agricultural exports through the Danube River and the Black Sea.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu described the sea as a critical route for global food supplies, saying: “We’re looking at the Black Sea as a global food artery.”
She added that the growing number of casualties among sailors highlighted the need for greater investment in deterrence and defence.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has called for coordinated international efforts to protect civilian vessels, including discussions on a possible moratorium on attacks against commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
Although a NATO military source identified the drones involved in the latest tanker fires as Russian in origin, Romanian authorities have said they are still gathering information about the incidents.
The developments add to growing concerns about the regional consequences of the war in Ukraine, as Romania and Bulgaria push for stronger cooperation with NATO to protect maritime trade, civilian crews and critical infrastructure.
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