Romania steps up countermeasures against mines and drones off its coas

The National Security Council called the attacks on ships a direct consequence of Russian aggression outside Ukraine.

Romania will accelerate the development of forces and surveillance equipment to counter mines and drones in the Black Sea. This decision was made by the country’s Supreme Council of National Defense after a series of attacks on commercial vessels off the Romanian coast, Reuters reports.

The council called the latest attacks a direct consequence of Russian aggression outside Ukraine. According to its assessment, threats to freedom of navigation and critical energy projects in the Black Sea constitute a security crisis for Romania.

“The current risks require specific measures to protect human lives, maintain free access to national ports and ensure security,” the statement said.

Romania will develop capabilities in three areas: maritime surveillance, countering sea mines and responding to drones that illegally invade national airspace and waters. The authorities will also conduct exercises to improve the effectiveness of the operational response.

“The members of the Council also analyzed ways to strengthen coordination within NATO. This includes strengthening deterrence and defense positions on the eastern flank and identifying new measures to respond to threats in the Black Sea region,” the council added.

As a reminder, over the past two weeks, at least seven cargo ships have been hit off the coast of Romania and Bulgaria, with about 30 sailors killed or missing. On Saturday, Romanian F-16 pilots shot down two Russian drones of the latest generation over the country’s territorial waters.

The day before, on October 20, NATO announced the deployment of additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones to the Black Sea.