Drones strike two commercial vessels near Romania's Danube Delta
Two ships caught fire after drone attacks near Romania's Black Sea coast
Two commercial vessels were attacked by drones late on Saturday near the Danube River in the Black Sea, resulting in fires on board both ships, according to Romania's Defense Ministry, as reported by Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency.
The Greek-flagged oil tanker Evia Petrol V was hit by a drone at 9:10 pm local time, about four nautical miles east-southeast of the Romanian port of Sulina, the ministry said.
A bulk carrier, the Marsol, was struck by another drone about 35 minutes later, five nautical miles southeast of the Sulina Canal, also catching fire.
The crews managed to extinguish the fires, and no casualties were reported.
Romanian authorities detected an aerial target east of Snake Island, prompting the deployment of two F-16 fighter jets from the 86th Air Base in Fetesti to monitor the situation.
Romania, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has repeatedly responded to aerial threats near its territory amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Background
The Russia-Ukraine war has led to increased military activity and security concerns in the region, particularly for neighboring countries like Romania.
The Danube River and the Black Sea have been critical areas for shipping and trade, with many vessels passing through the region.
Regional Security Concerns
Romania's NATO membership and strategic location make it a key player in regional security, with the country taking steps to bolster its defenses in response to the ongoing conflict.