Black Sea Drone Strikes Sink Second Ship in a Week—Who’s Behind It?
Bulgarian Prime Minister calls attacks "absolutely unacceptable" after two vessels hit 18 nautical miles off coast
A Ukrainian-owned vessel and an unidentified ship were struck by drones off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast in the early hours of October 13, resulting in one sinking. This marks the second such attack in a week, raising tensions in the region.
The Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3, owned by Ukrainian interests, was hit by three drones approximately 18 nautical miles off the coast near Byala at around 1:30 a.m. All 15 crew members—seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis—were rescued, though five received medical treatment for minor injuries. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed the rescue but did not specify whether Chelsea 3 was the vessel that sank. The identity of the second ship remains unknown, though one crew member from the sunken vessel was recovered.
Regional Tensions Escalate Amid Uncertainty: Black Sea
In a televised address, Radev condemned the attacks as “absolutely unacceptable” and noted that they occurred near Bulgarian territorial waters. While he acknowledged the lack of clear evidence pointing to the perpetrators, he stated that “the outcome benefits the Russian Federation.” As a result, Radev announced plans to summon Russia’s ambassador to Bulgaria and consult with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
The incident follows a similar attack on October 6, when drones struck two merchant ships in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sank, while the grain carrier Able sustained damage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attributed the attack to Russia, a claim Moscow denied. The Russian Defence Ministry dismissed allegations of involvement, arguing that the Alfa Watan was not among its targeted vessels and called for an investigation into the drones’ origin.
Bulgaria Strengthens Surveillance Amid Security Concerns
Bulgaria, a NATO member, does not share a land border with Russia or Ukraine but holds a strategic position along the Black Sea. The waterway serves as a critical route for grain and other exports, particularly from Ukraine. The recent attacks have heightened concerns about the safety of merchant shipping in the region as drone warfare expands.
Following the latest incident, Radev convened an emergency Security Council meeting to address the security threat. While no further details on potential perpetrators were disclosed, he emphasized Bulgaria’s need to bolster air and sea surveillance capabilities. The attacks underscore the growing risks to commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea as the conflict in Ukraine continues.
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