Since 2026, more than 300 attacks on merchant ships have occurred in the Black Sea, resulting in the deaths of more than 30 sailors and the disappearance of more than 20 others. The casualties exceed those in the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East. Statistics from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) show that as of November 11, 134 related incidents have been confirmed in the Hormuz and the Middle East, resulting in the deaths of 25 sailors. The attacks in the Black Sea are mainly carried out by Russia and Ukraine: Russia targets Ukrainian grain export vessels, while Ukraine uses drones to attack Russian shipping. The scope of the attacks has extended to waters near Romania and Bulgaria. The disruption to shipping is also beginning to be reflected in traffic data: the number of ships entering the Bosphorus Strait in October decreased by 41% year-on-year, and two-way traffic decreased by 38%, further pressuring Ukraine's grain export routes.
