CNN says a recent wave of drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea has left at least 30 sailors dead or missing. It attributes the attacks to Russia and says some took place near or inside the territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria, both NATO members.

The reported toll, cited from maritime monitoring services and the Romanian and Bulgarian governments, comes as traffic to Ukrainian ports has fallen sharply and insurance premiums have risen. That links the security threat to a route used for Ukraine’s agricultural exports.

Attacks reach areas used by Ukrainian trade

CNN describes the Russian campaign as a response to Ukrainian strikes in recent months on ships using Russian ports in the Black Sea and the neighbouring Sea of Azov. It says Russia’s aim is to disrupt or hinder trade through Ukrainian ports, which handle almost all of Ukraine’s grain exports.

Shipping and security sources cited by CNN said Russia had used sea and air drones together. They also described newer jet-powered drones as faster and harder to intercept, and said some drones can hit moving targets.

Ambrey, a maritime intelligence company, said Russian forces had struck vessels linked to Ukrainian trade in the exclusive economic zones of Romania and Bulgaria. It said several ships were likely targeted because of their role in Ukraine’s grain exports. An exclusive economic zone is distinct from a country’s territorial waters: the two descriptions should not be treated as interchangeable.

A risk designation and a separate set of defences

In October, the Joint War Committee, which assesses risks for London’s insurance market, expanded its high-risk designation to the entire Black Sea region. The designation excludes the territorial waters of Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia. CNN’s account also places some attacks near or within Romanian and Bulgarian territorial waters, while Ambrey refers to attacks in the two countries’ exclusive economic zones.

Romania has begun coastal patrols by F-16 fighter jets. CNN reported that one shot down two Russian next-generation drones over Romanian territorial waters in late October. Romania also said it would speed up work on surveillance and equipment to counter mines and drones in the Black Sea.

Bulgaria has asked NATO to deploy fighter aircraft and counter-drone systems, according to Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov, who said the country was joining the alliance’s anti-drone initiative. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance had already strengthened its position on the eastern flank.

Trade costs rise as responsibility is disputed

CNN says traffic to Ukrainian ports has dropped sharply and insurance premiums have increased significantly. It reports that 90% of Ukraine’s agricultural exports use the Black Sea route. Ukraine is also the world’s largest sunflower-oil exporter and supplies about 15% of global corn exports and 10% of wheat exports, according to the account.

Responsibility remains disputed in the statements cited: CNN attributes the attacks to Russia, while the Trump administration blamed both sides for attacks on commercial ships. The Russian authorities’ response is not provided. The account does not specify exact dates for most strikes or identify the vessels involved.