Two cargo vessels were sunk and a third set ablaze in attacks blamed on Russian drones within the exclusive economic zones of NATO members, the European Union said on Wednesday.
"These attacks are unacceptable and threaten the safety of global trade," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
The incidents, reported by maritime authorities in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, resulted in at least one confirmed death and several crew members missing. One of the sunken ships, the Greek‑flagged *Mare Nostrum*, was carrying steel products when it was hit, according to the vessel’s operator.
In the second case, a Dutch‑registered bulk carrier caught fire after a drone strike off the coast of Denmark. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze, but the ship later listed and sank. The Dutch coastguard confirmed that several crew members were rescued, though the exact number remains unverified.
Escalating maritime threat
Satellite imagery and radar data, analysed by the European Maritime Safety Agency, show the trajectories of low‑altitude unmanned aerial systems approaching the ships just minutes before the explosions. The agency, which monitors the region’s shipping lanes, said the drones appeared to be equipped with precision‑guided munitions.
Officials in the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the drones were likely launched from Russian‑controlled territory, though they stopped short of attributing direct command responsibility.
NATO’s response
In a closed‑door meeting in Brussels, NATO Secretary‑General Jens Stoltenberg urged member states to accelerate the deployment of counter‑drone systems along critical sea routes. He warned that “the use of unmanned weapons against civilian shipping marks a dangerous escalation that cannot be tolerated.”
Allied navies have begun joint exercises in the North Sea to test electronic‑warfare measures and rapid‑response interception of hostile drones. The United States Navy announced the forward deployment of an additional Maritime Patrol aircraft squadron to support surveillance over the Baltic corridor.
Implications for global trade
The Baltic and North Sea corridors handle roughly 20 % of Europe’s maritime trade, according to the International Chamber of Shipping. Disruptions could force rerouting of cargo, increasing shipping times and costs for manufacturers reliant on just‑in‑time deliveries.Insurance firms have already flagged a rise in premiums for vessels transiting the affected zones, citing the heightened risk of unmanned attacks.
Looking ahead
EU foreign ministers are set to convene in Strasbourg next week to discuss coordinated sanctions against entities supplying drone technology to Russia. Meanwhile, NATO plans to publish a revised maritime security doctrine that will incorporate counter‑UAS capabilities as a core component.
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