Recent drone strikes on commercial vessels in the Black Sea have intensified risks to shipping lanes amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. On October 6, air and sea drones hit two merchant ships in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, sinking the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan with its crew missing and damaging the Palau-flagged Able carrying grain; Bulgarian officials condemned the attacks as violations of maritime law. Ukraine attributed prior strikes, including the sinking of the Turkish-owned Royad Mammadov off Romania on October 5, to Russian forces disrupting grain exports. Both sides have targeted vessels to hinder economic activity, with Ukrainian drones also striking a tanker near Russia’s coast the same day. Ongoing naval drone operations and port strikes continue to shape maritime security assessments in the region.