Three commercial ships were struck by drones near Romania’s Black Sea coast over two days, Romanian authorities confirmed on Nov. 14, damaging a Ukraine-bound cargo vessel and causing fires aboard two others. No casualties were reported.
The Palau-flagged cargo ship Larissa 1 was hit around 9:40 p.m. local time on Nov. 13 approximately 12 kilometers off the Romanian coast near Sfântu Gheorghe, according to Romanian broadcaster Digi24. The vessel was heading toward the port of Sulina, with Ukraine reportedly as its final destination. A drone damaged a cargo crane aboard the ship; the captain reported no injuries and no fire, Romanian outlet HotNews reported.
Romanian Defense Minister Ștefan-Radu Oprea confirmed at the military port of Constanța on Nov. 14 that authorities had been notified and an investigation was underway. He said at least two alerts had been issued in Tulcea County on Nov. 13. Romanian authorities have not identified the origin of the drone that struck the Larissa 1.
On the evening of Nov. 14, two more vessels were hit, Romania’s Defense Ministry confirmed, according to Romanian news agency News.ro. The Greek-flagged tanker Evia Petrol V was struck at about 9:10 p.m., roughly 4 nautical miles east-southeast of Sulina. About 35 minutes later, the bulk carrier Marsol was hit near the Sulina Canal. Both vessels caught fire, but crews extinguished the flames. No casualties were reported.
Romania’s Defense Ministry also reported detecting an aerial target east of Snake Island, prompting the deployment of two F-16 fighter jets. Authorities issued drone alerts to residents of Tulcea County. The origin of the drones in the strikes has not been established.
The incidents follow a series of drone attacks involving commercial shipping in the Black Sea. On Oct. 28, a commercial vessel heading toward Constanța was struck in Bulgarian territorial waters. Another attack near Constanța on Oct. 23 left one sailor dead and three missing. Romania, a NATO member sharing a border with Ukraine along the Danube River, has repeatedly monitored drone activity near its territory during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Drone strikes on commercial shipping near a NATO member’s coast test the alliance’s ability to protect civilian vessels in the Black Sea.
- The proximity to Romanian territory raises concerns about the risk of escalation and potential spillover into NATO airspace.
- Ship insurers and shipping lines may reassess routes, affecting trade and grain exports from Ukraine and Romania.
Background
The Black Sea has become a key theater in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with both sides targeting maritime infrastructure. Romania, a NATO member, shares a border with Ukraine along the Danube River and has frequently monitored drone activity near its territory. Previous incidents include an Oct. 28 drone strike on a vessel in Bulgarian waters and an Oct. 23 attack near Constanța that left one sailor dead and three missing.
Key Perspectives
Romanian Defense Minister Ștefan-Radu Oprea: Confirmed authorities were notified and an investigation is underway, and noted drone alerts had been issued in Tulcea County.
What to Watch
- Whether Romania or NATO can determine the origin of the drones, which could affect the alliance’s response.
- Any further strikes near Romanian territorial waters may prompt new naval patrols or air defenses.
- The impact on shipping insurance rates and Black Sea grain corridor operations.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedThree commercial vessels were struck by drones near Romania’s Black Sea coast over two days.Kyiv Independent: “Three commercial vessels were struck by drones near Romania's Black Sea coast on Nov. 13 and 14”
- SupportedRomanian authorities confirmed the incidents on Nov. 14.Kyiv Independent: “Romanian authorities confirmed.”
- SupportedThe origins of the drones had not been established.Kyiv Independent: “The origin of the drones responsible for the vessel strikes has not been established.”
- SupportedThe incidents damaged a Ukraine-bound cargo ship and caused fires aboard two other vessels.Kyiv Independent: “damaging a Ukraine-bound cargo ship and causing fires aboard two other vessels”
- SupportedNo casualties were reported.Kyiv Independent: “No casualties were reported.”
- SupportedThe Larissa 1 incident occurred at about 9:40 p.m. on Nov. 13, around 12 kilometres off the coast near Sfântu Gheorghe.Kyiv Independent: “The Palau-flagged vessel Larissa 1 was approximately 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the Romanian coast near Sfântu Gheorghe when the incident occurred at around 9:40 p.m. local time on Nov. 13”
- SupportedThe Larissa 1 was heading to Sulina, with Ukraine reportedly as its final destination.Kyiv Independent: “The ship was heading toward the Romanian port of Sulina, with Ukraine reportedly as its final destination.”
- SupportedThe drone damaged a cargo crane aboard the Larissa 1.Kyiv Independent: “The drone damaged a cargo crane aboard the vessel.”
- SupportedThe captain reported that no crew members were injured and the impact did not cause a fire.Kyiv Independent: “The ship's captain reported that no crew members were injured and that the impact did not cause a fire”
- SupportedMinister Ștefan-Radu Oprea said authorities had been notified of the Larissa 1 incident and an investigation was underway.Kyiv Independent: “Romanian Defense Minister Ștefan-Radu Oprea confirmed that Romanian authorities had been notified of the incident and that an investigation was underway.”
- SupportedAt least two alerts had been issued in Tulcea County on Nov. 13.Kyiv Independent: “at least two alerts had been issued in Tulcea County on Nov. 13.”
- SupportedThe Evia Petrol V and Marsol were struck on Nov. 14, both caught fire, and their crews extinguished the flames.Kyiv Independent: “Two more commercial vessels were struck by drones near Romania's Black Sea coast on the evening of Nov. 14, Romania's Defense Ministry confirmed”