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Drone attacks on ships near NATO waters test the alliance

European leaders already accuse Russia of brazen attacks on their soil, and now strikes on ships skirting NATO waters raise hard questions for the alliance's defense promise.

On air: Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock on BBN Newsroom
Published 2:31 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: Влада на Република Северна Македонија · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: NATO — Photo: Влада на Република Северна Македонија · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by WSJ: “Drone Attacks on Ships Sailing Near NATO Waters Present Fresh Threat for the Alliance”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 2:31 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock.
Topics: NATO.
BBN covered this story before: NATO's Russia war plan: what the top commander is now spelling out (October 13).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

WSJDrone Attacks on Ships Sailing Near NATO Waters Present Fresh Threat for the Alliance

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Brussels this afternoon, the story is drones.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorShips skirting NATO waters are being struck, and European leaders, who already accuse Russia of brazen assaults on their soil, now face attacks at sea.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorCan't the alliance just sail around them?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe ships are already skirting the waters, Vera.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThat is the problem, because the alliance has to decide what an attack just outside its borders means for its promise of defense.