EU warns Russia escalating Black Sea drone attacks to cut off Ukrainian food exports

Kaja Kallas says drone strikes near Romania and other EU borders are a 'dangerous and unacceptable escalation' targeting global food security

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is intensifying drone attacks near European Union member states bordering the Black Sea in an effort to limit Ukrainian export routes and drive up global food prices, the EU's top foreign affairs official warned on Tuesday. Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, EU High Commissioner Kaja Kallas said two drones were shot down in Romania over the weekend and that there had been six such attacks in 10 days, marking what she called a 'dangerous and unacceptable escalation in the Black Sea.'

Kallas told MEPs that Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian export routes since mid-July, with officials believing Moscow is deliberately targeting food security. She noted that grain prices are at their highest level since 2023 and called for an 'immediate restoration of safe passage for food in the Black Sea.'

Several MEPs echoed concerns about the escalating threat. Bulgarian MEP Andrey Novakov said people in his region feel that some EU member states believe their safety is less important because of geography, warning that 'the difference between Strasbourg and Bulgaria should be equal to zero.' German MEP Tobias Cremer described Putin's objective as 'as clear as it is cruel, to cut off food and cause unrest in societies.' Romanian MEP Dan Barna said civilian commercial vessels are being attacked by drones off the Romanian coast and argued that a plan was needed 'yesterday.'

However, not all speakers shared the same urgency. Polish MEP Anna Brylka of the Patriots group argued it would be 'unfair' to farmers elsewhere if Ukrainian exports were prioritised. German Green MEP Sergey Lagodinsky responded by calling the situation 'insanity' and noting that 'there is nothing hybrid attack about a burning ship.'

Belgian MEP Marc Botenga of The Left group went further, blaming the EU itself for what he described as inaction. 'For five years we have heard here that all we needed is more weapons deliveries and more sanctions. But you've spilled the beans. Europe has no independent peace strategy. None. In the meantime, war is spiralling out of control,' he told Kallas. He added that the United States, Russia and China are in talks while the EU is scrambling, and warned that young people will not die for the bloc's 'refusal to negotiate.'

Analysis

Why This Matters

The Black Sea is a critical corridor for Ukrainian grain exports, which feed millions globally; disruption drives up food prices and risks food insecurity in import-dependent countries.
Drone attacks near NATO territory (Romania) raise the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and the alliance.
The EU is under pressure to respond both militarily and diplomatically, yet divisions among member states over how to handle Ukraine exports and peace negotiations are becoming more visible.

Background

Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian port infrastructure and grain storage since its full-scale invasion in 2022. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the UN and Turkey in 2022, allowed safe passage for exports but collapsed in 2023 after Russia withdrew. Since then, Ukraine has used a maritime corridor along its own coast and near NATO members Romania and Bulgaria, but attacks have intensified. Kallas's statement marks the first time the EU has publicly attributed the recent drone surge to a deliberate strategy to cut off export routes.

Key Perspectives

EU leadership: Kallas and allied MEPs view the drone attacks as a clear escalation targeting global food security and civilian shipping. They argue for immediate restoration of safe passage and stronger condemnation of Russia. Skeptical member states: Some MEPs, particularly from Poland, worry that prioritizing Ukrainian exports could disadvantage local farmers, reflecting tensions over agricultural imports within the EU. Critics of EU strategy: MEPs like Botenga contend the EU lacks an independent peace strategy and has relied too heavily on sanctions and arms deliveries, allowing the conflict to spiral while other powers negotiate.

What to Watch

Frequency and location of drone attacks near Romanian and Bulgarian waters.
Global grain prices, especially wheat and corn, as an indicator of market confidence in Black Sea shipping.
EU foreign ministers' meetings: whether any concrete plan for safe passage or new sanctions emerges in coming weeks.

Sources

Russia trying to limit Ukrainian export routes - Kallas · RTÉ News

Checked

8 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 2 supported.

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Partly supportedRussia is escalating Black Sea drone attacks to cut off Ukrainian food exports.RTÉ News: “Russian President Vladimir Putin is increasing drone attacks near EU member states bordering the Black Sea to limit Ukrainian export routes”
Not in the sourcesThe attacks are intended to drive up global food prices.RTÉ News: “to limit Ukrainian export routes and "make it harder for people to put food on their plates across the world"”
Not in the sourcesKallas spoke on Tuesday.RTÉ News
Partly supportedKallas said drone strikes were near Romania and other EU borders.RTÉ News: “on Saturday two drones were shot down in Romania, six attacks in 10 days, which marks a dangerous and unacceptable escalation in the Black Sea”
SupportedKallas called the situation a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation in the Black Sea.”RTÉ News: “which marks a dangerous and unacceptable escalation in the Black Sea”
SupportedGrain prices are at their highest level since 2023.RTÉ News: “grain is at its highest price since 2023”
Partly supportedNovakov said people in his region feel some EU member states consider their safety less important because of geography.RTÉ News: “people in the region including in his own country are concerned that some EU member states believe "the distance from one" member state to other areas means their concerns are not important”
Partly supportedYoung people will not die for the EU’s refusal to negotiate.RTÉ News: “The US, Russia, China are in talks. The EU is scrambling. And our youth is telling you we will not die for your refusal to negotiate, we will not die for your incompetence,”