War widens in the Black Sea, testing NATO's red lines

War widens in the Black Sea, testing NATO's red lines

War widens in the Black Sea, testing NATO's red lines

Attacks on cargo ships near NATO members Romania and Bulgaria have escalated, with NATO deploying maritime patrol aircraft, radars and drones to its eastern Black Sea flank after seven strikes last month. A ship was struck just outside Romanian waters on October 23, and a Greek-owned container ship was later sunk by naval drones in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. Analysts say the pattern shows the maritime war between Russia and Ukraine widening into a direct challenge for NATO, and describe it as testing the alliance's red lines. Russia denies targeting Ukraine's neighbours and says European governments are escalating by supplying military aid. NATO says its commitment to defending every member is ironclad and has committed more than $40 billion to counter-drone capabilities over the next five years.

Attacks on cargo ships near NATO members Romania and Bulgaria have escalated, with NATO deploying maritime patrol aircraft, radars and drones to its eastern Black Sea flank after seven strikes last month. A ship was struck just outside Romanian waters on October 23, and a Greek-owned container ship was later sunk by naval drones in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. Analysts say the pattern shows the maritime war between Russia and Ukraine widening into a direct challenge for NATO, and describe it as testing the alliance's red lines. Russia denies targeting Ukraine's neighbours and says European governments are escalating by supplying military aid. NATO says its commitment to defending every member is ironclad and has committed more than $40 billion to counter-drone capabilities over the next five years.

Attacks on cargo ships near NATO members Romania and Bulgaria have escalated, with NATO deploying maritime patrol aircraft, radars and drones to its eastern Black Sea flank after seven strikes last month. A ship was struck just outside Romanian waters on October 23, and a Greek-owned container ship was later sunk by naval drones in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. Analysts say the pattern shows the maritime war between Russia and Ukraine widening into a direct challenge for NATO, and describe it as testing the alliance's red lines. Russia denies targeting Ukraine's neighbours and says European governments are escalating by supplying military aid. NATO says its commitment to defending every member is ironclad and has committed more than $40 billion to counter-drone capabilities over the next five years.