Romania Downs Two Russian Drones in NATO’s Black Sea Skies
Two Geran-4 drones shot down 13 and 11 nautical miles off Sulina as NATO prepares emergency talks on Black Sea security.
Romania’s military intercepted two suspected Russian drones over its territorial waters in the Black Sea on Saturday, marking the first time the country’s forces have shot down the advanced Geran-4 model. Defense Minister Radu Miruţă confirmed the operation, stating the drones were likely the upgraded, jet-powered variant of the Iranian Shahed design, now used by Moscow in the region.
The first drone was destroyed approximately 13 nautical miles southeast of Sulina, a critical port at the mouth of the Sulina Canal. The second was downed 11 nautical miles east of the same location. Both spent a combined seven minutes in NATO airspace before being neutralized, according to Romania’s foreign ministry.
Escalating Attacks on Commercial Shipping: Black Sea
The interceptions follow a surge in drone strikes targeting merchant vessels along the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts. Over the past two weeks, more than half a dozen attacks have been recorded, resulting in the deaths or disappearances of 23 seafarers.
Among the vessels hit was the Wine Trader, a San Marino-flagged chemical tanker carrying wine, which was struck 13 nautical miles southeast of Sulina on October 15. The drone ignited a fire in the ship’s superstructure, destroying the accommodations block and wheelhouse. Of the 12 crew members, five were rescued, while seven remain missing. Romanian authorities have conducted an ongoing search and rescue operation, though rough weather has repeatedly disrupted efforts.
Another tanker, the Comoros-flagged Yara J, was attacked on October 14 within Romanian territorial waters. While the crew managed to extinguish the resulting fire, the incident underscored the growing threat to commercial traffic in the area. NATO sources have attributed both attacks to Russian drones.
NATO Prepares for Emergency Talks
The repeated violations of Romanian airspace and territorial waters have prompted Bucharest to seek support from its NATO allies. A meeting of the North Atlantic Council is scheduled for Tuesday to address Black Sea defense and deterrence strategies.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed that two tankers were struck in or near the country’s waters, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Sulina Canal, a key route for trade between the Danube River and the Black Sea. The canal has become a focal point in Russia’s efforts to disrupt Ukraine’s export capabilities, raising concerns about the safety of critical shipping lanes.
As investigations into the drone attacks continue, the downing of the Geran-4 models signals a dangerous escalation in the conflict. Analysts warn that the use of these faster, more sophisticated drones could further destabilize the region, prompting NATO to reinforce its eastern flank.
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