On the escalation of Russian strikes in the EU, particularly on Black Sea shipping, threatening human life, regional stability and food security
B-10-2026-0476
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Sergey Lagodinsky, Maria Ohisalo, Hannah Neumann, Ville Niinistö, Mārtiņš Staķis, Nicolae Ștefănuță
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A resolution condemns recent drone attacks on merchant and civilian vessels in the Black Sea off Bulgaria and Romania, and repeated violations of Romanian airspace. It calls for an investigation, an immediate halt to hostilities, and EU and NATO support for the two countries.¶¶¶ It asks member states to back an emergency security protocol for hybrid attacks and urges the Commission to propose a European space shield and drone shield. It also presses Bulgaria to confirm participation in NATO's anti-drone initiative.¶¶ It stresses the importance of Black Sea shipping lanes for global food security, condemns using food insecurity as a weapon, and calls for a united response with partner countries. It restates solidarity with Ukraine and demands Russia withdraw its forces.¶¶
Key points
- Condemns drone attacks on civilian and merchant vessels off the Bulgarian and Romanian coasts and repeated violations of Romanian airspace, calling them breaches of international law and of both countries' territorial integrity.¶
- Calls for a full investigation into the strikes, for those responsible to be held accountable, and for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Black Sea.¶
- Asks member states, with NATO, to help Bulgaria and Romania detect and track hostile drones through intelligence sharing, NATO surveillance, Copernicus, the EU Satellite Centre and EU satellite communications.¶
- Warns that hybrid attacks and hostile actions across Europe have intensified, are meant to destabilise and divide the EU and NATO, and stresses solidarity with exposed member states.¶
- Calls on member states to support an emergency security protocol for hybrid attacks as outlined by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and urges the Commission to propose a European space shield and drone shield.¶
- Criticises the Bulgarian Government's response, deplores its delayed participation in NATO's anti-drone initiative, and urges it to confirm participation by 30 October 2026.¶
- Says preparedness for hybrid and grey zone attacks must become part of the EU's strategic culture, with permanent exercises, joint threat assessments and pre-planned responses.¶
- Underlines the importance of Black Sea shipping lanes to global food security, condemns using food insecurity as a weapon, and calls on the Commission and member states to build a united response with partner countries.¶
- Reiterates solidarity with Ukraine and demands that Russia and its proxy forces cease military action, withdraw from Ukraine's internationally recognised territory, end forced deportations and release detained Ukrainians.¶
Who is affected
- Bulgaria and Romania: their coasts and airspace are the sites of the attacks; they are asked to receive EU and NATO support.¶¶¶
- Merchant vessels and their crews in the Black Sea: described as civilian objects that cannot be lawful targets.¶
- EU member states: asked to support an emergency security protocol and to help detect hostile drones.¶¶
- The Commission: urged to present proposals for a European space shield and a European drone shield.
- Developing and least developed countries: said to face a possible food crisis if Black Sea grain trade is disrupted.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 6 October 2026: two merchant vessels attacked in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone; one sank and its crew is missing.¶
- 13 October 2026: two merchant ships struck off Bulgaria's coast; one sank and 11 sailors are missing.
- 5 October 2026: a drone strike sank a Turkish cargo ship carrying grain, killing two sailors.
- 14 and 15 October 2026: two chemical tankers struck in or near Romanian territorial waters.¶
- 30 October 2026: deadline for Bulgaria to formally confirm participation in NATO's anti-drone initiative.¶
- 16 September 2026: date of the State of the Union address outlining the emergency security protocol.¶