NATO to Support Increased Black Sea Surveillance
After the strikes on commercial vessels off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania, NATO has agreed to provide additional support to the region. The North Atlantic Council agreed on Tuesday, October 20, to the increased deployment after urging by Bulgarian and Romanian officials.
NATO Allies had discussed the increase in Russia’s hybrid activities during a meeting in Bucharest, Romania, on October 15 and 16. According to the official reports, concerns had been raised about the increase in activity and the danger from hybrid activities, including sabotage, drone incidents, and cyber attacks.
Romania reports that it has recorded 35 unauthorized drone incursions this year, compared to nine for all of 2025. Romanian officials said they had downed six of the drones, including two in recent days. Romania’s Defense Minister Radu Miruta said they were likely Russia’s latest-generation drones, noting they had been flying at speeds similar to jets. They were flying at approximately 280 mph, which the minister said indicated they were likely the Russian-made Geran-4 drones.
“The situation remains serious, as commercial ships have been attacked and sunk close to the shores of Romania and Bulgaria, and seafarers have been killed, injured, or are still missing,” said the President of Romania, Nicusor Dan. “These attacks are unacceptable and must stop.”
Both Romania and Bulgaria have declined to speculate on the source of the attacks on seven commercial vessels in the past days, which killed at least 23 seafarers and sank several of the vessels. Bulgaria, however, reports it has been successful in finding fragments from one of the drone attacks, and it is analyzing the chemical residues. NATO officials said they would also provide intelligence agents and teams to conduct forensic analysis of the explosives.
Bulgarian officials said several drone systems had already been put in place to increase the monitoring in the Black Sea. They also reported that U.S. Poseidon surveillance planes had already started patrols to provide increased early warning.
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“NATO has already strengthened our posture along the eastern flank, including with counter-drone capabilities,” said a spokesperson for the treaty organization.
Under the new agreement, NATO will be sending additional assets, including for surveillance, reconnaissance, and forensics. Reports indicate it will include maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, and drones.
