Ships adopt makeshift anti-drone defences as Black Sea attacks intensify - Reuters

Attacks on commercial shipping and port facilities in the Black Sea by Russian and Ukrainian forces have risen sharply in recent weeks, prompting heightened concern among maritime operators. The surge in drone‑borne strikes has targeted both military and civilian vessels, as well as infrastructure supporting maritime trade.

In response, a growing number of tankers and cargo ships transiting the Bosphorus Strait have fitted improvised anti‑drone measures. Crews have installed nets, filled water tanks, and mounted tyres around vulnerable areas of the vessels, creating makeshift barriers intended to intercept or deter incoming drones. Some ships have also added “cope cages,” structures designed to protect critical equipment from impact.

Video footage obtained by a news agency shows several vessels navigating the narrow waterway with the described equipment in place. The visual evidence confirms that the defences are being deployed across a range of ship types, from large tankers to smaller cargo carriers, as they move between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Security experts monitoring the situation note that the improvised nature of the defences reflects the rapid escalation of the threat and the limited time available for vessels to acquire specialised anti‑drone technology. The measures are described as temporary solutions while longer‑term protective options are evaluated.

The intensifying drone activity and the adoption of ad‑hoc countermeasures raise the risk of further disruptions to maritime traffic in the region. Authorities and shipping companies are closely tracking the developments, acknowledging that the situation could evolve into a broader threat to commercial navigation if the attacks continue to increase.