Romanian PM condemns drone strikes on three commercial ships off Black Sea coast
Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu on Sunday condemned drone strikes on three commercial ships near Sulina, where the Danube meets the Black Sea, calling the incidents unacceptable and a violation of international law and tying the deteriorating security situation to Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to Romania’s defense ministry, the Greek-flagged oil tanker Evia Petrol V was hit just after 9 p.m. Saturday, the Marsol about 35 minutes later, and the Ali Najafov overnight. Crews put out fires on the first two ships; no casualties were reported, and it remains unclear who launched the drones. The military detected aerial targets on radar, scrambled F-16 fighter jets, and warned coastal residents of possible further drone threats. The attacks followed a reported strike Friday on another commercial vessel, the Larissa 1, near Romania’s coast. Defense Minister Ștefan-Radu Oprea said he would raise the incidents with allied counterparts in Brussels and asked for more surveillance aircraft and equipment to counter drones, saying Romania needs allied solidarity. Niculescu pledged to work with NATO to strengthen Black Sea security. Last week European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would help finance some Black Sea security costs after recent attacks on commercial shipping. In October, at least seven commercial vessels were struck by drones in the Black Sea close to NATO and EU members Romania and Bulgaria, leaving more than 20 sailors dead and dozens missing.
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