Two chemical tankers caught fire yesterday while anchored in Romanian territorial waters near the Sulina Canal, a key shipping route in the Black Sea close to the Ukrainian border. The vessels, identified as the San Marino-flagged Wine Trader and the Comoros-flagged Yara J, were set ablaze in what Western officials suspect were drone attacks linked to Russia amid a recent surge in such incidents.

At least eight crew members were reported missing in the initial hours following the fires. Romanian authorities have not officially confirmed the cause of the blaze, but local media cited officials suggesting that at least one tanker was struck by drones. The Romanian government had not issued an immediate response to inquiries regarding the incident.

The country’s defense ministry reported detecting several aerial targets near Snake Island, an uninhabited island off Romania’s coast, overnight into the day of the attacks. In response, two F-18 fighter jets were deployed. Additional drone activity was recorded over Romanian national airspace to the southeast of Sulina, resulting in authorities issuing alerts to residents near the border before 5 a.m. The ministry noted that this marked at least six separate drone incursions into Romanian airspace in the past week.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte condemned the attacks and indicated that the alliance would adapt its deterrence and defense measures along the eastern flank as necessary. Rutte also held discussions with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Romanian President Nicuşor Dan regarding regional security and the recent strikes on commercial shipping.

“NATO has strengthened our posture along the eastern flank including with increasing counter-drone capabilities,” Rutte said, emphasizing ongoing coordination with Black Sea allies.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Radev commented on the situation, stating that crews had yet to find conclusive evidence pinpointing Russia as responsible for the drone strikes, but that investigations including the retrieval of drone debris would continue. Arriving at an EU summit in Brussels, Radev expressed skepticism about Ukraine's involvement, noting there was no strategic reason for Ukraine to target its own ships and crews, and suggesting the attacks ultimately served Russian interests.

While Western authorities broadly attribute the incidents to Moscow amid escalating drone activity in the region, definitive proof remains pending as investigations proceed. Romanian and regional officials continue monitoring airspace closely while addressing the security implications of the attacks in a sensitive geopolitical environment.