Deadly drone attacks raise questions over Europe’s Black Sea defences

A series of drone attacks in the Black Sea have caused widespread damage to commercial vessels and resulted in civilian casualties, highlighting Europe's struggle to secure one of its most vulnerable maritime regions. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned a recent drone strike as "absolutely unacceptable," while Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu called it a "flagrant violation of international law."

A Turkish-owned cargo ship carrying Ukrainian grain, which sank after being set ablaze by a drone attack off the Romanian coast, claimed the lives of two crew members. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her concern over the incidents, emphasizing that attacks on civilian shipping are intolerable. The Black Sea Security Strategy, launched by the EU in May 2025, aims to bolster security in the region by addressing cyberattacks, disinformation, and hostile actions.

However, the effectiveness of this strategy has been called into question following the recent drone attacks. European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand reported that the strategy has led to 65 projects worth €200 million being initiated in the region. Romania and Bulgaria are developing a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub to enhance maritime situational awareness and coordination of coast-guard cooperation.

Despite significant investments in defense capabilities, recent deficiencies in naval operations, such as naval munitions, missile stockpiles, and seabed protection, have been identified. To address these shortcomings, the European Commission recommends improving maritime domain awareness, balancing investments in combat platforms and strike capabilities, and investing in supporting enablers.

Experts argue that while strategies are necessary, they must be accompanied by tangible capabilities, such as intelligence-gathering operations, to adequately secure the Black Sea. Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey have pledged to coordinate their efforts to strengthen security in the region. However, the absence of a comprehensive Black Sea security architecture, particularly from NATO, remains a concern.