Black Sea ships rig makeshift defences as drone attacks rise

Commercial vessels transiting the Bosphorus strait are increasingly fitted with improvised protective gear, including nets, tyres and water-filled tanks, as drone strikes in the Black Sea escalate. The makeshift measures are aimed at shielding ships from attacks linked to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Video footage and security assessments show tankers and cargo ships adopting these defences. One crude oil tanker was seen with water tanks suspended around its stern, while another had tyres hanging over its hull. Some vessels have installed netting, known as 'cope cages', over their superstructures to deflect explosive drones.

Maritime security experts say such measures may offer limited protection against smaller drones but are unlikely to stop larger military-grade aerial or naval drones carrying heavy payloads. The frequency of attacks on commercial shipping and port infrastructure has risen sharply, and could increase further.

The risks were highlighted when an abandoned Russian-flagged cargo ship, its command deck burnt out, drifted from Russian waters to a beach near Istanbul. Several other vessels have arrived at the Bosphorus heavily damaged, escorted by coast guard boats.

Turkey, whose own ships have been targeted, has raised the issue with Ukraine and proposed a plan to restore safe grain passage through the Black Sea. Ankara is discussing the initiative with both Moscow and Kyiv. However, Russia has stated it sees no basis for reviving the earlier grain deal, which had allowed the export of nearly 33 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain before Moscow withdrew in 2023.

Turkish officials warn that the renewed attacks are worsening global grain shortages, particularly affecting African nations. Experts note that while the previous agreement had eased navigation in the region, the current volatility demands broader steps toward peace to ensure safe shipping.