NATO Deploys Aircraft & Drones To Guard Black Sea Routes As Attacks On Ships Increase

NATO is reportedly deploying surveillance aircraft, drones, sensor and radar systems across the Black Sea region as ship attacks in the waters have escalated in the past two weeks, with several seafarers dead or missing.

The majority of attacks are concentrated off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria, where Ukraine uses the Danube River ports to ship its grain after Russia ramped up attacks on its Black Sea ports.

Colonel Martin O’Donnell, spokesperson for NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, said that members of the alliance and allies are planning to send equipment, drones, advanced systems, special forces, and anything that can help to the Black Sea, adding that the most important thing they could do right now is be aware and vigilant by monitoring the situation in the region.

Allison Hart, the spokeswoman for NATO, said that the decision was made after representatives from the 32 member nations discussed a solution at a meeting at the Brussels headquarters. There are plans to deploy additional military assets to protect the eastern border, she informed.

Hart said that they would implement all the measures for the safety of billions of people and the seafarers and ships operating in the region’s waters.

NATO came forward after the Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that a U.S. military aircraft had begun patrolling the region following his request for assistance as ship attacks off the country’s coast increased last week, raising security concerns.

Radev said that he received a positive response from a few countries and expects their support in tackling the attacks, which are a result of the Russia-Ukraine war spillover into the Black Sea region.

NATO, Romania and Bulgaria have accused Russia of these attacks, with the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said that 6 attacks were recorded in just 10 days as Russia tries to prevent Ukrainian grain from being shipped out of the Black Sea to affect Kyiv’s revenues.

Kallas highlighted that the disruption of grain shipments not only affects Ukraine, but also several regions affected by drought where food shortages are prominent.

NATO and the European Union are dealing with what they call a ‘hybrid campaign of sabotage and interference’ by Russia to undercut Western support for Ukraine.

NATO has warned Russia to stop attacking ships and other infrastructure in the region following a few high-profile incidents this summer, including the launch of an explosive-carrying drone at the German Airport.