Key facts
- Two chemical tankers, Yara J and Wine Trader, caught fire in Romanian Black Sea waters.
- Seven sailors are missing from the Wine Trader tanker.
- Romanian President Nicusor Dan stated two air drones struck the tankers.
- The Yara J was struck within Romania's territorial waters; the Wine Trader was struck just outside.
- A NATO source attributed the drone attacks to Russia.
- NATO has increased counter-drone capabilities along its eastern flank.
Two chemical tankers, the Yara J and the Wine Trader, caught fire in Romanian Black Sea waters on October 14 and 15, respectively, following suspected Russian drone attacks. Seven sailors remain missing from the Wine Trader, while all crew members of the Yara J were rescued. Romanian President Nicusor Dan stated that two air drones struck both vessels, with the Yara J hit within territorial waters and the Wine Trader just outside. A NATO source attributed the attacks to Russia, prompting the alliance to increase counter-drone capabilities along its eastern flank. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of attacks on Black Sea shipping, including a cargo ship sinking and another vessel being evacuated near Bulgaria on October 13, and earlier attacks in early October.