Ukraine has sunk two Russian cargo vessels in the Black Sea, according to military officials in Kyiv, in a significant escalation of the maritime conflict. The strikes, carried out using naval drones, targeted ships believed to be transporting military supplies to Russian forces in occupied Crimea. Romania, a NATO member, confirmed that debris from a drone was found on its territory, detected by British-operated radar systems.
The incident underscores the growing risks of the war spilling over into NATO airspace. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that the radar evidence is being analysed, but no immediate threat to alliance territory was identified. The Kremlin has not commented on the losses, but Russian state media reported that two vessels were hit near the Kerch Strait.
Ukraine’s navy claimed responsibility, describing the operation as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt Russian logistics. The Black Sea, a crucial theatre for grain exports and military resupply, has seen intensified drone and missile attacks in recent months. Romania’s defence minister said the drone debris was found near the Danube delta, close to the Ukrainian border, and emphasised that NATO was alerted immediately.
The European Union condemned the escalation, calling for restraint to avoid direct confrontation with the alliance. Analysts suggest the strikes may be intended to pressure Moscow ahead of potential peace talks, but also risk a broader response from Russia, which has previously warned of strikes on Ukrainian ports used for such attacks. The incident is likely to dominate discussions at this week’s NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels, where allies are expected to condemn the actions of both sides while reaffirming their commitment to protecting alliance territory.
