NATO’s Black Sea Planes Might Be At Risk

Weeks after Ukraine launched an offensive that seized swathes of Russia’s Kursk region, Russia might be attempting to step up its sabotage campaign in Europe. In recent weeks, drones have been frequently seen at various military installations in Germany. One base in Geilenkirchen, which houses the E-3A Sentry aircraft that collects and supplies intelligence to the Ukrainian military, has increased its security due to an unspecified threat. With these aircraft, NATO flies frequent missions across states that border Ukraine and over international waters in the Black Sea. 

Armed with this intelligence, the Ukrainians have successfully put Crimea under pressure by pushing out the Russian Navy, destroying air defence assets, and cutting off the peninsula from the vehicles and infrastructure that help sustain it.  

The Black Sea has become one theatre of the conflict where Russia has lashed out against Western support of Ukraine. Previously, the Russians downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone and shot at a British surveillance plane.