Ship S!nks After Drone Att∆cks Off Bulgaria As Prime Minister Summons Russian Ambassador

Ship Sinks After Drone Attacks Off Bulgaria As Prime Minister Summons Russian Ambassador

A second vessel, identified as the Ukrainian-registered, Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3, was struck by three drones about 18 nautical miles from Byala, with all 15 crew members rescued.

Amerchant ship sank and another was damaged in drone attacks off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast on Tuesday, October 13, prompting Prime Minister Rumen Radev to summon Russia’s ambassador as authorities investigate the incidents.

According to the BBC, Radev said one vessel sank about 17 nautical miles east of Krapets, with one crew member rescued.

A second vessel, identified as the Ukrainian-registered, Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3, was struck by three drones about 18 nautical miles from Byala, with all 15 crew members rescued.

Five crew members aboard Chelsea 3 sustained minor injuries and were receiving medical treatment, Radev said.

The Bulgarian prime minister convened an emergency meeting with security officials and summoned Russian ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova over the attacks.

Although he acknowledged that there was no conclusive evidence identifying those responsible, he said the circumstances suggested Russia could benefit from the incidents.

“Another attack on merchant ships in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters is absolutely unacceptable,” Radev said.

Ukraine directly blamed Russia for the latest attacks.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, accused Moscow of disregarding civilian lives and maritime security in the Black Sea, warning that continued attacks on commercial vessels threatened international food supplies.

“The Black Sea is a lifeline for global food security,” Sybiha said.

“Russia is attacking it to weaponise hunger and hold the world hostage. This must be met with strength.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the attacks, warning that the Black Sea was becoming another front in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

She described the development as unacceptable.

The latest incidents occurred a week after two other commercial vessels were attacked by sea and aerial drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone on October 6. One of the vessels, the Alfa Watan, sank, and its 10 crew members, including nine Syrians, were presumed dead.

Following those attacks, Radev requested technical assistance from NATO and the European Union to investigate the incidents, saying it remained unclear whether Russia or Ukraine was responsible.

Bulgaria, a NATO member, has also faced growing concerns over the security of commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Radev said he would speak with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte following the latest attacks.

Russia’s military had not publicly commented on the latest incidents as of Tuesday. Moscow has intensified strikes on vessels in the Black Sea during its war against Ukraine, while maintaining that its operations target ships carrying weapons and dual-use goods to Ukrainian ports.

Ukraine and its European allies, however, accuse Russia of targeting merchant vessels carrying civilian cargo, including grain. Both Russia and Ukraine are major grain exporters, making the security of Black Sea shipping important to global food supplies.

The latest attacks have renewed calls for stronger protection of commercial vessels and increased cooperation among European countries as investigations into the incidents continue.