Three commercial ships were reported hit by drones near Sulina, and Romania is preparing to seek greater support for Black Sea surveillance and protection in Brussels. The incidents bring maritime risk close to the Danube mouths, but Bucharest's announced requests are not yet allied commitments.
Defence Minister Radu Oprea said on Sunday that the ships were struck from Saturday evening into the early hours of Sunday. According to HotNews, they were the tanker Evia Petrol V, the bulk carrier Marsol and Ali Najafov. The report placed the first two a few nautical miles east-southeast of Sulina and southeast of the Sulina Canal.
Fires broke out aboard each vessel and were put out by their crews; the available report says there were no casualties. Romania's Defence Ministry also scrambled F-16s for their assigned missions after its radar system detected aerial targets east of Snake Island and southeast of Sulina. Authorities issued alerts to residents in Tulcea county over possible falling drone debris.
Oprea said he will raise Black Sea security at the EU defence ministers' meeting in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday. He called for observation-aircraft patrols, counter-drone equipment and faster delivery of Gap Filler radars supplied by Thales.
That is a warranted response to a cluster of reported strikes so close to Romania: protecting shipping routes and detecting aerial threats are no longer abstract concerns. But the minister described requests and planned talks, not support already approved by partners. The available material does not establish the drones' origin, the intended targets or responsibility for the strikes.
Sources
- HotNews · Source date: 2026-11-15
Independent editorial content. WUA is not affiliated with any political party. 2026-11-15