EU warns of escalating drone attacks in Black Sea, urges stronger maritime security

By Seyma Erkul Dayanc

ISTANBUL (AA) - EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned Tuesday of escalating suspected Russian drone attacks in the Black Sea, calling for stronger maritime security and safe passage for civilian shipping.

"Six attacks in 10 days by suspected Russian drones mark a dangerous and unacceptable escalation in the Black Sea," Kallas told the European Parliament.

She said Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down two drones over Romanian territorial waters on Saturday.

Rescuers were also searching for seven sailors missing after a drone attack on two tankers near Romania's Black Sea coast, she added.

According to Kallas, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine's export routes since mid-July, costing Kyiv an estimated €60 million ($70 million) daily in export revenues.

Ukraine accounts for 15% of global maize exports, 10% of wheat exports, 15% to 20% of barley exports and 50% of sunflower oil exports, she said.

Around 90% of these goods are transported through the Black Sea corridor, Kallas added.

She accused Russia of targeting Ukrainian agricultural infrastructure, ports, border crossings, export facilities, vessels, shipping lanes and grain storage facilities.

Russia has not yet commented on her remarks.

Kallas outlined three priorities for the EU response: maintaining Ukraine's access to global markets, strengthening security in the Black Sea and Danube regions, and increasing international pressure on Moscow.

She said grain exports through the EU’s Ukraine Solidarity Lanes had increased by almost 2 million tons since July, but warned that suspected Russian attacks on border crossings with Moldova, Romania and Poland were putting alternative routes at risk.

Kallas also called for stronger maritime surveillance, faster information-sharing and closer coordination among EU member states and NATO to respond to serious incidents.

She said the EU-backed Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, being established jointly by Romania and Bulgaria, would improve maritime situational awareness.

The EU was also working with international partners, including Türkiye and India, and food-importing countries in Africa and the wider Global South to promote a freedom-of-navigation arrangement in the Black Sea, she said.

"Ukraine has proposed it. Russia has rejected it," Kallas said.

She stressed that diplomatic engagement must be accompanied by sustained pressure on Moscow and continued support for Ukraine.

During the parliamentary debate, Bulgarian European People's Party lawmaker Andrey Novakov called for an EU mission in the Black Sea to protect merchant shipping.

"The problem in Bulgaria, Varna, Romania is a common European problem," Novakov said.

He argued that the bloc should help ensure the safe transport of fuel and other goods at normal prices.

Novakov also called on Russia to take responsibility for the attacks and end the war in Ukraine.

Şeyma Erkul Dayanç