In recent weeks, at least seven civilian vessels were attacked by Russian drones, including near EU territorial waters.

Omissions

• Reporting available on/before the session date described the attacking drones as 'suspected' Russian (The Guardian, 18 Oct 2026: 'Six attacks in 10 days by suspected Russian drones'), and some outlets (KyivPost) explicitly noted that 'it is not yet clear who is behind the strikes'. Firm official attribution by Romania came only in the days after 20 October 2026.
• The strikes took place off Romania and Bulgaria — partly inside Romania's exclusive economic zone and near, rather than necessarily inside, EU territorial waters; the claim's phrasing 'off of the territorial waters of the EU' is a reasonable but imprecise description.
• The count of attacks is a fast-moving figure in press reports (Guardian counted six attacks in 10 days as of 18 October; other outlets already reported 'at least seven' vessels), so the exact number depends on the cut-off date and on whether near-misses/partial hits are counted.
• Only secondary journalistic sources were available for this rapidly developing event; no official EU/national statistics exist for it.

Sources

• SecondaryKyivPostAt least seven merchant ships have reportedly been attacked by drones in the Black Sea off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria in recent days. It is not yet clear who is behind the strikes, which are fuelling concerns about a further escalation of the war in Ukraine and jeopardising key trade routes.
• SecondaryEurotopics (press review)At least seven merchant ships have reportedly been attacked by drones in the Black Sea off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria in recent days
• SecondaryThe GuardianIntensifying drone attacks on ships in Black Sea bring war ever closer to Nato shores. Six attacks in 10 days by suspected Russian drones mark dramatic escalation in maritime conflict.
• SecondaryAssociated PressDrone attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea this month have raised concerns among NATO members. The attacks, near Romania and Bulgaria, threaten global shipping routes and have resulted in deaths and missing crew members.
• SecondaryUnited24 MediaRussian drones sank the Turkish-operated cargo ship Royad Mammadov carrying Ukrainian corn in the Black Sea on October 5, killing two crew