Seven Missing as NATO Races to Secure Black Sea After Drone Strikes
Romania confirms first drone attack inside its territorial waters.
The Wine Trader, a 6,259 dwt San Marino-registered vessel built in 1989, sent a distress call at 0700 on October 15 after being struck near its accommodation block. The attack, which occurred approximately 13 nautical miles off Romania’s Salina Canal, ignited a fire that crippled the ship’s firefighting systems, forcing the crew to abandon efforts to save the vessel.
Bad weather and high seas complicated the evacuation, with a Romanian helicopter rescuing five survivors, one more than initially reported. Among them, one crewmember suffered scalp burns while another showed signs of mild smoke inhalation. The missing seven are believed to be of Beninese, Croatian, and Bosnian nationality. A second helicopter was later dispatched to search the stricken vessel, though no further survivors have been located.
Romania’s Waters Breached as NATO Weighs Article 4: Black Sea
The attack on the Wine Trader marks a dangerous escalation, as it is the first confirmed drone strike within Romania’s territorial waters. Previous incidents had been limited to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), further offshore.
Hours earlier, the Comoros-flagged chemical tanker Yara J (10,000 dwt) reported being struck while anchored off Salina. Though the 17-strong crew, comprising Syrians, Indians, and Iranians, emerged unharmed, the vessel was forced to divert to Constanta under its own power. Romania’s rescue agency ARSVOM confirmed the incident but provided no details on the extent of the damage.
Romanian President Nicu?or Dan cautioned against premature conclusions but hinted at a robust response. “We need all the facts,” he stated, adding that Romania would not tolerate further breaches of its sovereignty.
The strikes coincided with a scheduled NATO leaders’ meeting in Brussels, where the alliance’s response to the Black Sea crisis took centre stage. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced strengthened counter-drone measures along the eastern flank, stating,
“NATO has strengthened our posture along the eastern flank, including with increasing counter-drone capabilities. NATO will continue to work closely with our Allies in the Black Sea, adjusting our deterrence and defiance posture as needed.”
Mark Rutte·NATO Secretary General
San Marino, the flag state of the Wine Trader, issued an urgent advisory to shipping companies, stating,
“The administration strongly recommends avoiding transit through the high-risk areas until further notice. Companies are urged to carefully assess the need for any voyage and consider alternative routes wherever practicable.”
San Marino Maritime Administration·Flag State Authority
The Russian Ministry of Defence, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for striking two additional vessels near Odesa, alleging they were transporting military supplies to Ukraine. The targeted ships, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulker, Sea Destiny (82,172 dwt), and a Tanzania-flagged product tanker, Dania J (3,585 dwt), were reportedly managed from Greece and the UAE, respectively. No details on casualties or damage were provided, though the attacks further strain an already volatile region.
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