{
  "id": 20180008,
  "title": "Three commercial vessels struck by drones near Romania's black sea, PM says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/three-commercial-vessels-struck-by-drones-near-romanias-black-sea-pm",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T13:55:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/15/three-commercial-vessels-struck-by-drones-near-romanias-black-sea-pm-says"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Three commercial vessels were targeted by drones off Romania's Black Sea coast on Saturday evening, Romanian authorities have confirmed. The incident occurred near the Sulina canal, a crucial shipping route connecting the Danube river to the Black Sea, which is frequently utilized by Ukraine for exporting goods. No one was injured, and the vessel crews successfully controlled fires that erupted onboard. Defence Minister Stefan Radu Oprea stated that the drone attacks were \"unacceptable\" and a violation of international law. Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu expressed dismay over the attacks, attributing them to the escalating security situation resulting from Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. He vowed to take appropriate action in collaboration with allies to bolster security in the Black Sea. Romanian Ministry of Defence radars also detected aerial threats in the vicinity, and the Romanian Air Force dispatched fighter jets twice to investigate. The vessels that were hit were the Greek-flagged chemical tanker Evia Petrol V, the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged bulk carrier Marsol and the oil products tanker Ali Najafov. Reports emerged earlier on Friday that another cargo vessel, the Palau-flagged Larissa 1, had been struck by a drone while en route to Ukraine. Russia refuted allegations of targeting nations bordering Ukraine with drones. Defence Minister Stefan Radu Oprea is scheduled to meet counterparts in Brussels the following week to discuss the security situation in the Black Sea. He emphasized the need for solidarity from allies, citing pledges of patrols with surveillance aircraft and counter-drone warfare equipment.",
  "summary": "Romania's Prime Minister called the attack on the three vessels Saturday 'unacceptable' and a 'violation of international law'. A day prior, a separate cargo-bound vessel was also struck. No injuries were reported.",
  "key_points": [
    "Three commercial vessels struck by drones off Romania's Black Sea coast",
    "Romanian PM Luca Niculescu condemns attacks as violation of international law",
    "Romanian Defence Minister to meet allies in Brussels for security collaboration"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Three ships struck by drones in Black Sea near Romanian shipping canal, PM says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/three-ships-struck-by-drones-in-black-sea-near-romanian-shipping",
        "published": "2026-11-15T12:28:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Politico EU",
        "title": "Romania slams ‘unacceptable’ drone strikes on Black Sea ships",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/romania-slams-unacceptable-drone-strikes-on-black-sea-ships",
        "published": "2026-11-15T13:16:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}