Sofia: Bulgaria has summoned Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova following reported drone attacks on commercial vessels operating in the country’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. The incidents left one ship sunk, another damaged and 11 sailors missing, according to Bulgarian authorities.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev met the Russian envoy on Tuesday, stressing the need to establish responsibility for the attacks. However, Bulgarian authorities have not publicly identified the source of the drones.
According to the Bulgarian Government Information Service, Radev questioned why Ukraine would target its own vessels, noting that one of the ships involved was Ukrainian-owned and registered in Ukraine. Mitrofanova reportedly said Moscow had provided her with no information about the incidents and suggested that a third country might have staged them as a provocation, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Two Ships Targeted in Latest Attacks
Bulgarian authorities reported that the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3 came under attack approximately 18 nautical miles east of Byala. All 15 crew members were rescued.
The second vessel, HS Dignity, flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, sank near Krapets. Five crew members were rescued, while 11 remained missing, according to officials. Rescued sailors were taken to the port of Varna, where five received medical attention.
The attacks followed another reported series of drone strikes on October 6, when one merchant vessel was sunk and another caught fire around 70 nautical miles east of Byala.
Bulgaria Calls for International Cooperation
Radev condemned attacks on commercial shipping and warned that further incidents could heighten tensions across the region. He called for investigations in coordination with Bulgaria’s partners in the European Union and NATO to determine the origin of the drones and establish responsibility.
The repeated incidents have heightened concerns about maritime security in the Black Sea, a crucial route for regional and international trade. The Russia-Ukraine war has already exposed commercial shipping to significant security risks, affecting crew safety, cargo movements and maritime operations.
As investigations continue, Bulgarian authorities face the immediate challenge of locating the missing sailors and preventing further attacks. With responsibility for the latest incidents still unconfirmed, the findings could prove significant for regional security and diplomatic relations.
