Key facts
- NATO will deploy additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, drones, and intelligence personnel to the Black Sea.
- The decision follows drone attacks on commercial vessels near Romania and Bulgaria.
- On Oct. 13, two commercial vessels were struck off Bulgaria's coast, with one sinking and 11 crew members missing.
- On Oct. 15, a chemical tanker caught fire near Romania's Sulina port with seven sailors reported missing.
- Romanian F-16 jets shot down two drones over its territorial waters on Oct. 17.
NATO announced on Oct. 20 that it will increase its military presence in the Black Sea by deploying additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, and drones. The decision by the alliance's North Atlantic Council follows a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels in the region. U.S. Army Col. Martin O'Donnell, a NATO military spokesperson, stated that the priority is to improve threat awareness through enhanced surveillance and intelligence sharing. The move comes after two commercial vessels were struck off Bulgaria's coast on Oct. 13, resulting in one sinking and 11 crew members missing. Subsequently, seven sailors went missing after a chemical tanker caught fire near Romania's Sulina port on Oct. 15 amid reported drone activity. Romanian fighter jets shot down two drones over its territorial waters on Oct. 17, believed to be Russian-made Geran-4 models.