Drone Strikes Escalate Black Sea Shipping Crisis

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev summoned Russian ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova after two merchant ships were struck by drones off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. One vessel sank, leaving 11 crew members missing and one rescued; the other, the Ukrainian-owned and Maltese-flagged Chelsea-3, was hit near Byala. All 15 crew were rescued, although five sustained minor injuries. The incidents follow attacks on two other commercial ships in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone a week earlier. One of those vessels, the Alfa Watan, sank, and its 10 crew members are presumed dead. Radev said there was no conclusive evidence identifying who was responsible for the latest attacks, though he argued that their outcome benefits Russia. Mitrofanova said she had no information from Russia’s defence ministry and suggested a third party could have staged a provocation. Russia’s military has not publicly commented. Ukraine directly accused Russia, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the Black Sea as another front in the escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The ships were struck outside Bulgarian territorial waters. Radev spoke with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, who said Nato would work closely with Black Sea allies and continue monitoring and adjusting its security posture. The article notes that an attack only a few nautical miles farther west could have raised the possibility of Nato’s Article 5 collective-defence clause being invoked. Bulgaria has also requested technical help from Nato and the EU to investigate the earlier attacks. The strikes occur amid intensifying attacks on vessels in the Black Sea. Moscow says it targets ships carrying weapons or dual-use cargo to Ukrainian ports; Kyiv and its European allies say civilian merchant vessels carrying grain and other goods are being attacked. Ukraine also struck an oil tanker in the Russian port of Sochi on the day of the earlier attacks. With Russia and Ukraine both major grain exporters, Ukraine’s foreign minister warned that attacks threaten global food security, while Turkey has urged both sides to stop attacking in the Black Sea.

Two commercial ships were struck by drones in the Black Sea off Bulgaria on Tuesday, prompting rescue operations and leaving 11 sailors missing, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Dignity sank. Five of its crew were rescued, while authorities continued searching for the remaining 11. The Ukrainian-operated, Maltese-flagged freighter Chelsea 3 was also damaged; all 15 crew members were evacuated, and five were treated for minor injuries. The vessels were hit about 32 and 34 kilometres from Bulgaria’s coast. Radev called the attacks “absolutely unacceptable” and said Bulgaria was seeking help from NATO and the European Union. Bulgarian authorities said they lacked clear evidence identifying who carried out the strikes. Radev told Russia’s ambassador that Ukraine had no apparent reason to destroy its own ships and that the attacks served Russian interests. The ambassador said she had no information from Russia’s defence ministry and suggested a third party might have staged a provocation. Bulgaria said it would investigate with its allies and pursue discussions with Romania and Turkey about joint measures to protect Black Sea shipping. Radev also said the attacks were causing significant economic and financial damage. Ukraine’s foreign minister blamed Russia, arguing that the strikes showed disregard for civilian lives and maritime security and were an effort to weaponize hunger. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would continue monitoring Black Sea security and adjust its deterrence and defence posture as needed. The United Nations condemned attacks on civilian ships, warning that strikes on vessels carrying food and other goods could affect global commodity prices. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the Black Sea as another front in the war’s escalation, while European Council President António Costa expressed solidarity with Bulgaria. The incidents came a week after other drone attacks damaged or sank commercial vessels in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. A Turkish-owned cargo ship carrying corn also sank off Romania after a drone attack, with two people killed. The article situates the latest strikes amid growing risks to shipping and grain exports in the Black Sea.

Two ships were struck by drones off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast on Tuesday, according to Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. The incident was the second drone attack involving ships in the area within a week. One of the vessels, a Ukrainian-owned cargo ship, was hit by three aerial drones shortly before another ship was struck. Bulgarian police rescued all affected crew members, and Radev confirmed that no one had been killed. The source of the latest attacks has not been established. Radev said there was not enough clear evidence to blame a specific party, though he argued that the outcome appeared to benefit Russia. Moscow is also suspected of involvement in the previous week’s incident, whose origin remains unknown. Radev described the escalating violence in the Black Sea as unacceptable and said he would summon the Russian ambassador to discuss it. He has also requested assistance from the European Union and NATO to determine where the attacks came from. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the strikes, describing them as another escalation in Russia’s war in Ukraine. She expressed support for Bulgaria, praised the rescuers’ swift response, and said those responsible should be held accountable. The article places the attacks within a broader pattern of conflict affecting the region, reporting that at least 45 merchant vessels have been struck by drones in the Black Sea over the past 12 months. It characterizes the incidents as part of the war’s growing impact on Eastern Europe, while emphasizing that responsibility for the latest attacks remains unconfirmed.

Drones struck two commercial vessels in the Black Sea off Bulgaria on Tuesday, sinking the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Dignity and damaging the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the attacks occurred about 20 and 21 miles (32 and 34 kilometres) from Bulgaria’s coast. Five sailors from the Dignity were rescued, while authorities were searching for 11 others. All 15 people aboard the Chelsea 3 were evacuated; five had minor injuries. Its crew reported that three aerial drones hit the ship’s deck and hull. Bulgaria said it had no clear evidence identifying who launched the attacks. Radev called them “absolutely unacceptable” and said Bulgaria was seeking assistance from NATO and the European Union. He told Russia’s ambassador in Sofia that it made no sense for Ukraine to attack its own ships and that the strikes benefited Russian interests. The ambassador said she had no information from Russia’s defence ministry and did not rule out the possibility of a third-party provocation. Radev said Bulgaria would investigate with EU and NATO allies and seek talks with Romania and Turkey on joint measures to protect Black Sea shipping. He also warned that the attacks were causing significant economic and financial damage to Bulgaria. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha blamed Russia, arguing that the strikes showed disregard for civilian lives and maritime security and threatened global food security. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would continue to monitor the region and adjust its defensive posture as needed. The United Nations condemned attacks on civilian ships, with spokesman Stephane Dujarric warning that attacks on vessels carrying food and other goods have multiplied and expanded, with serious consequences for global markets.