Drone strikes set 2 tankers ablaze off Romania; 8 sailors missing
What's next: Romania and Bulgaria are weighing NATO Article 4 talks as attacks spread along a key Black Sea export route.
Two chemical tankers caught fire near Romania's Black Sea coast after drone strikes, leaving eight crew members from the San Marino-flagged Wine Trader missing as rescuers searched in heavy seas. Romanian President Nicusor Dan said drones hit both vessels near the Sulina canal at the mouth of the Danube, a vital route for shipping linked to Ukraine. Romania's naval authority said five of Wine Trader's 12 crew were rescued, while all crew on the Comoros-flagged Yara J were safe. The interior ministry sent two Black Hawk helicopters and two rescue vessels. The attacks follow other recent strikes on cargo ships near Romania and Bulgaria, escalating pressure on Black Sea traffic as the war in Ukraine spills toward NATO waters.