NATO Bolsters Black Sea Surveillance with Aircraft and Radar After Drone Attacks

• NATO is expanding its military presence across the Black Sea region
• The move follows recent drone attacks on vessels near Romania and Bulgaria

BRUSSELS — NATO announced Tuesday that it is deploying additional aircraft, drones, and radar systems to the Black Sea following a series of attacks on ships off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria, marking the latest spillover from Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Allies have deployed, or will deploy, additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, explosive ordnance teams, intelligence personnel, unmanned aerial systems, and other capabilities to the Black Sea,” said Col. Martin O’Donnell, spokesperson for NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.

“Above all, the priority is to enhance situational awareness throughout the region through expanded sensors and improved data sharing,” he added.

A wave of strikes against civilian shipping in waters bordering NATO and EU members Bulgaria and Romania has left numerous sailors dead or missing, drawing sharp condemnation across Europe.

Earlier, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart announced that the alliance would send “additional assets” after ambassadors from all 32 member states met at NATO headquarters in Brussels to discuss Black Sea security.

“NATO has already reinforced its eastern flank, including with counter-drone capabilities,” Hart wrote in an online statement.

“We will remain united and ensure we are prepared and capable of confronting any threat to protect our one billion people,” she added.

The NATO announcement followed comments from Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who said a U.S. military aircraft had begun patrolling the Black Sea after Sofia requested assistance in the wake of recent drone strikes.

“An American P-8 Poseidon has begun patrolling the Black Sea to carry out reconnaissance missions and detect any activity that could pose a risk,” Radev said.

He noted that several NATO allies responded swiftly to his request for help and that Bulgaria anticipates “further assistance.”

NATO, Bulgaria, and Romania have not formally accused Moscow of the attacks, though responsibility has widely been attributed to Russia.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday that “six attacks in 10 days by suspected Russian drones constitute a dangerous and unacceptable escalation.”

Kallas accused the Kremlin of intensifying efforts to disrupt Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea in an attempt to deprive Kyiv of revenue.

She warned that the strikes are compounding a “perfect storm” threatening global food supplies, already strained by droughts in multiple regions and the conflict in the Middle East.

The incidents have deepened NATO concerns over what it views as increasingly reckless behavior by Moscow while its forces remain engaged in Ukraine.

NATO and the EU say they are confronting a Kremlin-led “hybrid” campaign of sabotage and interference intended to erode Western support for Kyiv.

The alliance has sought to signal to Russia to de-escalate following high-profile incidents over the summer, including the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at a German airport.

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