Photo: depositphotos
Two merchant ships were attacked by drones in the Black Sea near Bulgaria overnight on October 13, leaving one vessel sunk and prompting an emergency rescue operation, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said. He announced plans to summon Russia’s ambassador, although Bulgarian authorities do not yet have conclusive evidence identifying those responsible.
At around 1:30 a.m., authorities received a distress signal from the Chelsea 3, a Maltese-flagged cargo vessel registered in Odesa and owned by Ukrainian interests. The ship was approximately 18 nautical miles (33 kilometers) east of the coastal town of Byala when it was struck by three aerial drones, according to Radev.
All 15 crew members were evacuated to the Bulgarian port of Varna. The crew included seven Ukrainian citizens and eight Azerbaijani nationals. Five people received medical assistance, but none was reported to be seriously injured.
Radev also reported that another vessel had been attacked approximately 17 nautical miles east of Krapets and subsequently sank. One crew member was rescued, while details about the remaining people aboard were not immediately available.
Following an emergency meeting of Bulgaria’s Security Council, Radev said the incidents had been reported to the country’s representatives at the European Union and NATO. Bulgaria is seeking international assistance to strengthen surveillance of its airspace and maritime areas and improve its ability to respond to similar attacks.
“We have no clear and convincing evidence to assign responsibility to either side,” Radev said. However, he added that, in his assessment, the outcome of the attacks benefited the Russian Federation. He said he would summon Russia’s ambassador for a meeting.
The latest incidents come a week after two other commercial vessels were attacked by drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sank, while the Palau-flagged Able was damaged and caught fire. All 18 crew members aboard the Able were rescued.
The attacks have heightened concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. On October 12, a Turkish-owned cargo vessel carrying corn caught fire and sank off the Romanian coast following a drone attack, killing two people, according to Romanian authorities.
The origin of the drones involved in the latest attacks has not yet been independently established.
