Ships navigating the Black Sea are taking increasingly creative measures to protect themselves from drone attacks, a growing threat in the region. These protective strategies include attaching nets, tires, or even protective cages to the hulls of vessels. The Black Sea, bordered by Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania, has become a critical theater in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As drone attacks have become more frequent and the range of targets has expanded, concerns have grown about the safety of commercial shipping in the area. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan raised alarms on August 8, noting that commercial ships either registered under Turkey or flying its flag are now also being targeted. Turkey, which has maintained a delicate balance in its relations with both Russia and Ukraine, has called for a temporary halt—known as a "moratorium"—on attacks against commercial ships in the Black Sea. In response to these incidents, Turkish authorities summoned the Ukrainian ambassador in Ankara, signaling the increasing tension over the issue. Experts have observed that commercial ships and tankers are now commonly seen in the Bosporus Strait—where the Black Sea connects to the Sea of Marmara—equipped with protective devices. These include nets, water containers, and even tires, which are believed to help absorb the impact of drone strikes. The measures are intended to reduce the damage caused by potential attacks, as seen in the case of the Russian-flagged cargo ship "Omskiy-107," which was severely damaged in a drone strike and later ran aground in early September. Other ships, like the Sierra Leone-flagged "Caruzo" and the Russian oil tanker "Khrizopraz," have also been spotted with similar protective equipment. However, the effectiveness of these measures is still uncertain. Corey Ranslem, general manager of the maritime security company Dryad Global, noted that while such tools might be useful against small drones, they may not be as effective against larger military drones. Meanwhile, Ukraine has been targeting Russian oil infrastructure in the Black Sea, including refineries, storage facilities, and ports such as Novorossiysk. This offensive has reportedly reduced maritime crude oil exports by 15% in early August compared to expectations, highlighting the broader impact of the conflict on regional trade and energy flows.