NATO will deploy additional assets to the Black Sea region to bolster surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. This was announced on Tuesday, October 20, by alliance spokesperson Allison Hart on the social media platform X.
"The Alliance will deploy additional forces and assets to the region, including resources for surveillance, reconnaissance, and forensic analysis," Hart wrote.
According to her, the decision was reached following a meeting of the alliance’s ambassadors within the framework of the North Atlantic Council.
On October 13, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance could strengthen its deterrence and defense measures in the Black Sea, should the need arise.
On the same day, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev reported that two merchant vessels had been targeted by drone attacks within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. One of the ships, the "Azov Concord", sank approximately 27 kilometers from the resort village of Krapets, while the second vessel, the "Chelsea 3", managed to reach port under its own power.
Source of information: News Agency e.g., REUTERS / TASS / AFP
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed Tuesday that a US Navy aircraft is operating over the Black Sea following drone attacks on merchant vessels in the region, according to BTA news agency.
ReplyDeleteRadev told reporters that the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft was conducting reconnaissance missions to detect potential threats, and that NATO allies had responded swiftly to Bulgaria’s request for assistance.
He said Bulgaria had fully mobilized its surveillance, reconnaissance, detection and response capabilities, and that further assistance from NATO allies was expected.
Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said the aircraft belonged to NATO and should not be associated with any particular country.
Stoyanov said the Poseidon had no strike capability and would continue its missions for as long as necessary.