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Two Ships Attacked, One Sinks in Drone Strikes Off Bulgaria

7:16 AM ETConfirmed

World Desk

In Short: Two merchant ships were attacked by drones off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, with one sinking, according to Prime Minister Rumen Radev.

Two merchant ships were attacked by drones off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, with one sinking, according to Prime Minister Rumen Radev. Al Jazeera (Qatar) and BBC (United Kingdom) reported that one of the ships, the Alfa Watan, sank, while the other, the Chelsea 3, was damaged.

Al Jazeera (Qatar) reported that the Chelsea 3, a Ukrainian-owned ship sailing under a Maltese flag, was hit by three drones and suffered damage approximately 18 nautical miles off Bulgaria's coast. Meanwhile, Diari ARA (Spain) and Georgia Today (Georgia) noted that the Alfa Watan was attacked 17 nautical miles from the Bulgarian coastal town of Krapets, near the border with Romania.

The attacks occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, with the Chelsea 3 hit first and the Alfa Watan sinking shortly after. The BBC (United Kingdom) and Diari ARA (Spain) reported that the Chelsea 3 was sailing from Turkey to Romania at the time of the attack.

The incident has raised concerns over maritime security in the Black Sea. Radev convened an emergency meeting and said he would summon the Russian ambassador, Eleonora Mitrofanova, to discuss the attacks. He also informed NATO and EU representatives about the situation.

The Ukrainian-owned Chelsea 3 had a crew of seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis, all of whom were rescued. However, the fate of the crew on the Alfa Watan remains unclear. Georgia Today (Georgia) reported that all 10 crew members on the Alfa Watan are presumed dead.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attacks, stating that they were unacceptable and threatened the security of the Black Sea region. She expressed concern over the safety of the crew and the broader implications for maritime security.

Radev acknowledged that there was no clear evidence to attribute the attacks to any specific party but noted that the outcome benefited the Russian Federation. He emphasized the need for an investigation and requested assistance from NATO and the European Maritime Safety Agency.

The attacks have drawn comparisons to previous incidents in the region. A week earlier, drones sank another ship off Bulgaria’s coast, leaving nine Syrian sailors and one Egyptian lost at sea. This latest incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the Black Sea.

Despite the lack of clear evidence, the attacks have heightened tensions in the region. Radev stated that he would speak with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss the situation and seek support for Bulgaria’s response.

The attacks have also prompted calls for increased surveillance and response capabilities in the Black Sea. Radev requested assistance to strengthen air and maritime surveillance and response capabilities, reflecting the growing concern over drone attacks in the region.

The incident underscores the complex security dynamics in the Black Sea, where both Ukraine and Russia maintain significant naval presences. Bulgaria, as a NATO member, holds a strategic position and is now seeking to bolster its maritime security measures in response to these attacks.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Two ships have been hit in drone attacks off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, with one of them sinking, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said.
• “I am due to speak with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.” Radev said there was no clear evidence who carried out the attack but “the outcome benefits the Russian Federation”, adding that he would summon the Russian ambassador about the incident.
• The Ukrainian-owned “Chelsea 3”, sailing under Maltese flag, was hit by three drones and damaged some 18 nautical miles (33 km) off the Bulgaria coast around 1:30 a.m.
• Bulgaria does not border either Ukraine or Russia, but as a NATO member it holds a strategic position on the Black Sea, where both countries have major ports.
• Two merchant ships sailing in Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone on October 13 came under drone attacks, with one sunk, Prime Minister Roumen Radev said.
• Its crew – seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis – had been rescued.
• “The Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine,” she said.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack on the ships.
• He added that one crew member from the ship that sank was also rescued.
• SOFIA: Two ships were struck off the Bulgarian coast on Tuesday, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said, adding that he would summon the Russian ambassador over the latest such incident in the Black Sea.
• "We lack solid, clear evidence to level accusations against any specific party," Radev said.

What's still developing

• Ship sinks and crew missing after Black Sea drone attack UK growth forecast upgraded but energy prices and rates to hit in 2027 Why the prime minister wants to talk about Brexit again Russia's offensive ability is broken, Kyiv's former top general tells BBC Publicly owned rail is popular.
• Bulgaria is preparing a diplomatic response following overnight attacks on vessels in the Black Sea.
• "Nato will continue to work closely with our allies in the Black Sea," Rutte said after the talks.
• "We have already strengthened our posture along the eastern flank and will continue to monitor the security environment, adjusting our deterrence and defence posture as needed," he added.

Sources

• Al Jazeeralink
• BBClink
• Diari ARAlink
• Georgia Todaylink
• Kuwait Timeslink
• Kyiv Postlink
• Philenewslink
• RBC-Ukrainelink
• eKathimerini.comlink
• i24NEWSlink
• Hurriyetdailynewslink
• Sofiaglobelink
• BBClink
• WarpBeat — background on Yandex Data Center in Russia Hit by Drone Attack link
• WarpBeat — background on Russian Forces Launch Mass Missile and Drone Attack on Ukraine on Putin's Birthday link
• MIRROR NOW — video link