EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said six attacks involving suspected Russian drones had occurred in the Black Sea over ten days. She estimated that Ukraine was losing approximately €60 million in export revenue each day amid strikes on trade routes and infrastructure.
Speaking to the European Parliament on October 20, Kallas warned of threats to civilian shipping, regional security and international food supplies.
She said rescue teams were continuing to search for seven missing sailors after an attack on two tankers near the Romanian coast.
According to Kallas, Russian strikes against Ukrainian export routes have intensified since mid-July. She listed agricultural infrastructure, Black Sea and Danube ports, border crossings, export terminals, ships and grain storage facilities among the targets.
The EU's top diplomat also said Romanian F-16 fighter jets had shot down two drones over Romania's territorial waters on Saturday.
Kallas described Russian responsibility for all six incidents as suspected rather than conclusively established. Independent examination of each attack's circumstances is needed to determine who carried it out.
The €60 million figure represents an estimate of Ukraine's daily lost export revenue, not the direct physical damage caused by the six specific attacks.
Kallas emphasized the importance of Ukrainian grain and vegetable oil exports to the global food market. According to the figures she cited, about 90% of those exports travel through the Black Sea corridor.
The European Union intends to develop alternative export routes and strengthen monitoring of the Black Sea. Proposed measures include expanded information-sharing among member states, improved maritime surveillance and coordination with NATO.
Kallas also called on international partners to support arrangements guaranteeing safe passage for civilian vessels in the Black Sea.
According to Kallas, Ukraine supports such an initiative, while Russia has rejected it.
Continuing attacks on maritime infrastructure threaten not only Ukraine's foreign trade but also the stability of international food supplies.