Attacks on civilian vessels raise concerns over regional security and international trade.
BUCHAREST, Romania. Three commercial vessels were struck by drones near Romania’s Black Sea coast on November 14, 2026, prompting Romanian authorities to condemn the incidents and call for stronger allied security measures along one of the region’s most important maritime trade corridors.
The attacks occurred near the Sulina Canal, which connects the Danube River with the Black Sea and serves as a vital export route for Ukraine.
Romanian Defence Minister Stefan Radu Oprea confirmed that fires broke out aboard the affected vessels but were brought under control by their crews. No injuries were reported.
The ships were identified as the Greek-flagged chemical tanker Evia Petrol V, the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged bulk carrier Marsol, and the oil-products tanker Ali Najafov.
Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu condemned the attacks as unacceptable and a violation of international law.
He linked the deteriorating security environment to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, while stopping short of identifying who launched the drones.
Romanian military radar detected aerial targets in the area, and the country’s air force deployed fighter jets on two separate occasions to investigate possible threats.
The incident followed another reported drone strike on November 13 involving the Palau-flagged cargo vessel Larissa 1, which was reportedly traveling toward Ukraine.
That earlier attack caused damage to the ship but no casualties.
The proximity of the incidents to Romanian territory has heightened security concerns because Romania is a member of NATO. However, the available information does not establish responsibility for the attacks or constitute a formal determination that NATO territory was deliberately targeted.
Russia has denied conducting drone attacks against countries neighboring Ukraine.
The Sulina Canal is particularly important for regional commerce because it provides access between the Danube transport network and international shipping routes. Disruptions near its entrance could affect commercial navigation, maritime insurance and the movement of Ukrainian exports.
Oprea is expected to discuss Black Sea security with European counterparts in Brussels, emphasizing the need for surveillance aircraft, coordinated patrols and counter-drone equipment.
The incidents demonstrate how maritime infrastructure can become vulnerable when military operations extend into areas used by civilian shipping.
For commercial operators, the immediate concerns involve crew safety, navigation risks and the possibility of further disruptions.
For Romania and its allies, the broader challenge is protecting international maritime traffic while avoiding escalation in an already volatile security environment.
The attacks underscore the growing intersection of regional warfare, civilian infrastructure and global supply-chain resilience.
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