Bosporus Strait

Ships crossing the Black Sea rig makeshift armor against drone strikes

Merchant ships transiting the Bosphorus are arming with nets, water tanks, and tires to shield against escalating Russian and Ukrainian drone attacks in the Black Sea, as the burned-out Russian cargo ship Omskiy-107 drifted ashore near Istanbul. Experts warn these improvised defenses may deter smaller drones but not larger ones, underscoring growing risks to global oil and grain exports and rising war-risk premiums for maritime insurers.