Two Ships Damaged in Drone Attacks Off Bulgaria, Authorities Seek Investigation
Ukrainian-owned vessel among those hit in Black Sea incident, prompting calls for international assistance and accountability.
Two commercial vessels, one Ukrainian-owned, were damaged in drone strikes in the Black Sea off the coast of Bulgaria, an incident that has prompted calls for an international investigation and accountability. The attacks occurred approximately 17 to 18 nautical miles east of the Bulgarian coast, near Krapets and Byala.
One of the affected vessels, the Ukrainian-owned 'Chelsea 3' sailing under a Maltese flag, sustained damage around 1:30 a.m. local time. Its crew of seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis were rescued and transported to the port of Varna. Five crew members received medical attention, but none were seriously injured. A second ship, a Togo-flagged vessel whose cargo was undisclosed, was hit and sank. One crew member from the sunken vessel was rescued.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated on social media that the 'Chelsea 3' was struck by three aerial drones. He announced his intention to summon the Russian ambassador over the attacks, which he described as "absolutely unacceptable" and a "gross violation of international law." Radev indicated that Bulgaria lacks clear evidence to attribute responsibility for the strikes but suggested that the outcome logically benefits the Russian Federation.
Bulgaria is seeking assistance from NATO and the European Union to strengthen surveillance capabilities and enhance response measures in the region. "Bulgaria continues to seek support for an investigation into the attacks to determine the country of origin of the drones," Radev said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attacks, stating that those responsible must be held accountable. She described the Black Sea as an escalation front in the Russian war against Ukraine and called such attacks "unacceptable." Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga directly blamed Russia, denouncing Moscow's "deliberate disregard for civilian lives and maritime security." He added, "The Black Sea is a lifeline for global food security. Russia is attacking it to weaponise hunger and hold the world hostage."
These incidents follow a similar drone attack last Tuesday, which resulted in a merchant ship sinking off the coast of Bulgaria and another being rescued. The ship that sank was identified as the Alfa Watan, approximately 70 miles off the coast. A Bulgarian ferry that witnessed the explosion found overturned life rafts and jackets but no crew members.
Survivors of the other vessel attacked last week, the grain-carrying 'Able', were rescued. Its 18 crew members, 11 Turkish and seven Indian, were saved, though two sustained injuries and were hospitalized in Varna.
A maritime security source suggested initial assessments pointed to a Russian attack, though Russia has not commented on the incidents. Radev warned that if the war in Ukraine is not ended, it risks expanding geographically and increasing the potential for global conflict. He emphasized that the attacks are disrupting shipping in the Black Sea, leading to increased insurance costs and making maritime transport more difficult.
Bulgaria, a NATO member, holds a strategic position in the Black Sea, a key waterway for both Russia and Ukraine. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European countries have reported instances of Russian drones breaching airspace and mines in the Black Sea.