Drone war in the Black Sea: seven ships hit in two weeks as NATO steps up patrols

At least seven ships were hit in the Black Sea over about two weeks in October, and about 30 sailors were killed or are missing, according to the Drone Warfare Intelligence Monthly (DWIM) review.

The attacks began on October 6, when drones struck two vessels in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, one of which sank. The tankers Yara J and Wine Trader burned in Romanian waters on October 14 and 15, and seven Wine Trader crew members are missing. The Khoryv capsized on October 23, 13 nautical miles off Constanța.

NATO responds

Romanian F-16s from Borcea air base shot down two drones with AIM-9 missiles on October 17. NATO announced additional patrol aircraft, radar and drones on October 20, and Secretary General Mark Rutte convened the North Atlantic Council. Even so, on October 28 three unmanned surface vessels sank the container ship CONTSHIP JET off Cape Kaliakra: a French Atlantique 2 patrol aircraft detected them and relayed their coordinates, but no armed asset was nearby to engage.

Figures are taken from the DWIM monthly review, which compiles government, military and media reports; some claims have not been independently verified.