The short version
- A merchant vessel sank and another was damaged after drone strikes targeted ships off Bulgaria's coast, prompting the prime minister to summon the Russian ambassador.
- The incidents follow a similar attack last week that resulted in the presumed deaths of ten crew members, intensifying concerns over maritime safety in the region.
- While Kyiv accuses Moscow of weaponizing hunger by targeting grain exports, Russia claims it is striking vessels carrying military supplies to Ukraine.
A merchant ship has sunk following a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Bulgaria, an incident that has triggered a sharp diplomatic response from Sofia. Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed that two ships were struck by drones in the Black Sea, resulting in one vessel going down and another sustaining damage. The attacks occurred within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, raising immediate concerns about national security and the safety of international shipping lanes.
Radev stated that he had summoned Eleonora Mitrofanova, the Russian ambassador to Bulgaria, to address the incident. While the prime minister noted that there was no conclusive evidence definitively assigning blame to either side, he argued that the logic of the situation suggests the outcome benefits the Russian Federation. He described the attacks as absolutely unacceptable, particularly given their proximity to Bulgarian territorial waters.
The latest strikes come just one week after two other commercial ships were hit by sea and aerial drones in the same area. That previous incident resulted in the sinking of the Alfa Watan, with all ten crew members, including nine Syrians, presumed dead. The recurrence of such violence has prompted Radev to convene an emergency meeting with security chiefs and seek technical assistance from both NATO and the European Union to investigate the events.
Details regarding the Tuesday attacks indicate that one vessel sank approximately 17 nautical miles east of Krapets, with only one crew member rescued. The second ship, a Ukrainian-owned vessel registered in Odesa but flying a Maltese flag, was hit by three drones about 18 nautical miles from the town of Byala. All fifteen crew members on this second ship were rescued, with five reported to have suffered minor injuries.
Ukrainian officials have directly blamed Russia for the latest attacks. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Moscow of deliberately disregarding civilian lives and maritime security in the Black Sea. He characterized the sea as a critical lifeline for global food security, arguing that Russia is attempting to weaponize hunger and hold the world hostage through these actions.
European leaders have echoed these concerns. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the Black Sea as becoming another front in the escalation of the Russian war against Ukraine, calling the situation unacceptable. As a NATO member, Bulgaria’s prime minister indicated he would speak with Secretary General Mark Rutte to coordinate a response and address the growing instability.
Russia has not publicly commented on the specific attacks off Bulgaria. However, Moscow has intensified its strikes on vessels in the Black Sea, particularly on the western side, as part of its broader conflict with Ukraine. Russian officials maintain that they are targeting ships delivering weapons and dual-use cargo to Ukrainian ports, citing recent attacks in Mykolaiv and Chornomorsk as justification for their actions.
The conflicting narratives highlight the deepening crisis in the region. While Kyiv and its allies argue that merchant vessels carrying grain and other civilian goods are being targeted, Moscow insists it is responding to military threats. Turkey has called on both nations to halt attacks in the Black Sea, but Russia has repeatedly rejected calls from the US and Europe for a naval ceasefire.
The incident underscores the complex geopolitical tensions surrounding the ongoing war. President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and Moscow currently controls approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory. The sinking of the Chelsea 3 and the damage to other vessels illustrate how the conflict is spilling over into international waters, threatening global supply chains and regional stability.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on determining responsibility and preventing further escalation. Radev has positioned himself against suggestions that he is pro-Russian, emphasizing Bulgaria’s commitment to NATO and EU standards. The coming days will likely see increased diplomatic pressure on Moscow and heightened security measures in the Black Sea as nations grapple with the implications of these attacks.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC World↗Ship sinks in new drone attack off Bulgaria, PM summons Russian ambassador
