Mark Rutte says NATO "strengthened our posture along the eastern flank" against drone attacks

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in an Oct. 15 post on X that the alliance had made changes aimed at protecting its eastern members from drone attacks as strikes on commercial shipping in the Black Sea increased. It came amid drone strikes near NATO members Bulgaria and Romania. On Wednesday, three maritime drones hit the Liberian-flagged, Greek-managed container ship Contship Jet about 21 nautical miles off Bulgaria; Bulgaria’s maritime administration said Thursday that it had sunk. All 18 crew were rescued. The defense minister said it was the fifth drone attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone this month. Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish defense ministers met in Sofia, condemned the attacks and agreed to share more intelligence, issue warnings earlier and coordinate more closely. Russia has not claimed responsibility; Bulgaria’s prime minister said suspicion points to Moscow but cannot be proven.