SOFIA, Bulgaria – Two commercial vessels were struck by drones off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast overnight, leaving one ship sunk and forcing the evacuation of all 15 crew members aboard the other, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on October 13.
The incidents occurred near Bulgaria’s territorial waters, prompting Sofia to seek an investigation into the origin of the drones and prepare to summon the Russian ambassador for talks.
Radev said Bulgaria did not have clear and conclusive evidence establishing which side was responsible for the attacks. However, he argued that Russia could benefit from their outcome.
“The latest attack on a commercial vessel in the immediate vicinity of Bulgaria’s territorial waters is absolutely unacceptable,” Radev said.
He added that Bulgaria’s permanent representatives to NATO and the European Union had been informed of the incidents.
Ukrainian-Owned Cargo Ship Struck By Three Drones
The first vessel, the Malta-flagged Chelsea 3, was attacked about 18 nautical miles east of Byala, a coastal town in Bulgaria.
The Ukrainian-owned cargo ship was travelling from Giresun, Turkey, to Giurgiulești in Moldova, carrying cargo intended for the country, when three aerial drones struck its deck and hull overnight.
All 15 crew members were evacuated and taken to Varna. The crew comprised seven Ukrainian and eight Azerbaijani nationals, with five people receiving medical assistance, according to Radev.
The 136-metre vessel was subsequently left without its crew near Cape St. Athanasius.
Radev said Bulgaria was seeking support for an investigation to establish where the drones originated. He also said he intended to raise the incidents with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and summon the Russian ambassador for a meeting.
Second Vessel Sinks Off Bulgaria
The second ship, identified as the cargo vessel Azov Concord, was struck about 17 nautical miles east of Krapets, Bulgarian authorities said.
The vessel sank, and one crew member was rescued as a search-and-rescue operation continued.
The incidents have raised further concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, where vessels have faced growing risks amid the war involving Russia and Ukraine.
Although Radev pointed to Russia as a potential beneficiary of the attacks, he reiterated that investigators had yet to establish responsibility conclusively.
Previous Drone Strikes Raise Security Concerns
The latest incidents follow an earlier reported attack in which two commercial vessels were struck by drones in Bulgaria’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea. That incident reportedly killed at least two people and prompted a major search-and-rescue operation.
The earlier strikes occurred about 80 miles off Bulgaria’s coast, east of Cape St. Atanas and the town of Byala.
Bulgaria’s efforts to establish the origin of the latest drones could have wider implications for regional maritime security and cooperation with NATO and the European Union.
For now, the identity of those responsible for the attacks remains unconfirmed.
