The Greek-flagged tanker Evia Petrol V was struck shortly after 9 p.m., followed 35 minutes later by another vessel, the Marsol, according to a statement from the Romanian Defense Ministry posted on its Facebook page.
“In both cases, the fires were extinguished by the ships’ crews. No casualties were reported,” the ministry said.
A third vessel, the Ali Najafov, also reported being struck during the night. It is still unclear who launched the drones.
The Romanian military detected air targets on radar and sent F-16 fighter jets into the air. Authorities also issued warnings to residents near the coast about possible drone threats.
The attacks came after another commercial ship, the Larissa 1, was reportedly hit by a drone near the Romanian coast on Friday.
Romanian Defense Minister Stefan-Radu Oprea said on Sunday he would discuss the incidents with his allied counterparts in Brussels. “We need the solidarity of our allies,” he said, calling for more surveillance planes and equipment to defend against drones.
Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU would help finance some security costs in the Black Sea following recent attacks on commercial shipping.
In October, at least seven commercial ships were struck by drones in the Black Sea near NATO and EU member countries Romania and Bulgaria, leaving more than 20 dead and dozens missing.
Gn world
