NATO has announced plans to increase its presence in the Black Sea in response to a series of drone attacks on cargo vessels in the region.
What happened
Several incidents have occurred in the Black Sea, with drones striking cargo ships, including the sinking of the Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity and the striking of the Chelsea 3, a Maltese-flagged and Ukrainian-owned vessel.
On October 15, two chemical tankers were struck by drones near the Romanian coast, setting them ablaze. The vessels were anchored near the Sulina Canal, a major export route for Ukraine.
NATO's principal spokeswoman, Allison Hart, stated that the alliance will send additional military equipment and aircraft to the Black Sea to support surveillance, reconnaissance, and forensic activities.
The decision was made after NATO ambassadors met to discuss Black Sea security, with Hart emphasizing the alliance's commitment to standing united and addressing any threats to keep its people safe.
Russia and Ukraine, both major grain exporters, use the Black Sea as a vital shipping route, making it a target in the ongoing war between the two countries.
