NATO sends more military assets to Black Sea after attacks on merchant ships

NATO is deploying more military assets to the Black Sea after a recent escalation of deadly Russian attacks on merchant ships, The Guardian reports. Al Jazeera reports the alliance announced additional patrol planes, following a series of deadly drone attacks in the region.

The Guardian says five more vessels were attacked on Tuesday. According to that report, Russia's military claimed it hit three cargo ships in Ukraine's port of Reni. It said it also hit two more cargo ships heading for Odesa.

The Guardian describes growing anxiety as the war reaches NATO's borders, with ships carrying agricultural cargo among the targets.