Maritime security in the northern Black Sea: Operational realities and emerging risks in Marine Insurance P&I Club News 09/02/2026 The security situation in the northern Black Sea continues to evolve rapidly, with merchant vessels now facing a diverse range of kinetic and operational threats. Informed by up-to-date incident reporting and expert assessments from Dr Dirk Siebels of Risk Intelligence, this article examines the most recent patterns of maritime activity linked to the Russia–Ukraine conflict and considers the resulting operational, navigational, and safety implications for shipping interests in the region. The Russia-Ukraine war has reshaped the maritime security landscape across the Black Sea and beyond. Developments over the past 12 months have elevated operational risks for merchant ships, notably for those calling at ports in both Ukraine and Russia. Potential threats range from naval and aerial drone strikes to mine encounters and widespread GNSS interference. Since late 2024, more than a dozen tankers engaged in the trade with crude oil or refined products from Russia have been attacked in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and even at the Dakar anchorage off Senegal. Ukrainian officials have confirmed involvement in strikes against sanctioned tankers, including the VIRAT, KAIROS, and DASHAN in the Black Sea, and the QENDIL in the Mediterranean. In the Black Sea, the Russian port of Novorossiysk has been targeted by Ukraine, most recently in January this year, in a series of attacks. Other attacks on non-sanctioned vessels since January 2025 remain officially unattributed, yet they are likely linked to Ukraine as well. All targeted ships had previously loaded cargoes in Russian ports. In most cases, explosives were attached to the hull with magnets, indicating the willingness to send a strong signal without causing significant structural damage to the ship or even injuries to the crew. The expansion of Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities has also extended the threat zone for sanctioned tankers beyond the northern Black Sea. The December 2025 attack on the QENDIL, conducted using drones launched from a nearby vessel, demonstrated a significant escalation in both geographic reach and operational sophistication. Meanwhile, Russian attacks with maritime implications are limited to the northern Black Sea. Russian forces are frequently targeting port facilities in Ukraine, particularly in the Odesa area. Berthed vessels have suffered collateral damage on several occasions. Several merchant ships have also been targeted directly en route to or from Ukraine in proximity to port approaches. However, these incidents have been much less frequent than direct attacks on ports. Operational challenges extend beyond these direct kinetic threats. Persistent GNSS jamming and spoofing activities have created navigational hazards throughout the Black Sea, with vessels reporting false positioning data and erratic AIS displays. Sea mines – both anchored and drifting – also remain a concern, primarily in the north-western Black Sea. This was highlighted by the July 2025 mine strike that killed three crew members aboard the Ukrainian dredger INHULSKYI in the Bystrom River channel. Ukrainian ports continue to operate under ISPS Security Level 3 with frequent disruptions due to power outages and air-raid alerts, while Russian ports maintain Level 2 protocols. The Russia-Ukraine war shows few signs of near-term resolution, and the maritime env