Is Russia Probing NATO Weakness in the Black Sea?
Russia is mounting a campaign against merchant shipping in the Black Sea aimed at reducing shipping volumes to and from Ukraine, with eight recorded attacks on merchant shipping in the western Black Sea in October, excluding attacks on shipping and port facilities in Ukraine. Four vessels were attacked by drones near the Romanian coastline, two in Romania’s exclusive economic zone and two in Romanian territorial waters, while the remaining four cargo vessels were attacked off the Bulgarian coast. Romania publicly accused Russia of conducting the attacks and called for NATO assistance, and the North Atlantic Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss defense and deterrence in the Black Sea.
Why it matters: The attacks bear on maritime security, as Romania has accused Russia of striking merchant shipping and requested NATO assistance in the Black Sea.