Drones targeted two ships in the Black Sea near Bulgaria on Tuesday, leading to the sinking of one vessel and necessitating immediate rescue operations, announced Prime Minister Rumen Radev. The cargo ship Dignity, flying the Guinea-Bissau flag, went down after being struck by a military attack. While five sailors were saved, a search is ongoing for the remaining 11 crew members, according to Varna district Governor Mario Smrkov.
All 15 crew members of the Ukrainian-operated coastal freighter Chelsea 3, under the Maltese flag, were safely evacuated, with five individuals receiving treatment for minor injuries, as confirmed by Radev in a social media video. The crew, comprising seven Ukrainian citizens and eight Azerbaijan citizens, reported that their ship’s deck and hull were hit by three aerial drones. The attacks on both ships took place at distances of 34 and 32 kilometers from the Bulgarian coast.
In response to the incidents, Radev condemned the assaults during an emergency meeting of Bulgaria’s Security Council, labeling them as “entirely unacceptable.” Seeking assistance from NATO and the European Union, he emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to investigate the attacks and ensure accountability.
While the responsible party behind the drone strikes remains unclear, Radev expressed doubts about Ukraine’s involvement, stating that such actions would not align with its interests. He highlighted the potential advantage these attacks could offer Russia, as reported by the government’s press office following a meeting with the Russian Ambassador in Sofia.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, attributed blame to Russia for the attacks, emphasizing the deliberate endangerment of civilian lives and maritime security in the Black Sea. Sybiha asserted that Russia’s actions aim to disrupt global food security and must be met with resolute measures.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to collaborating with allies in the Black Sea region to enhance security measures. The United Nations also condemned the assaults on civilian ships, emphasizing the detrimental impact on global commodity prices and the safety of seafarers.
European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, voiced strong condemnation of the drone attacks, expressing solidarity with Bulgaria and emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and security measures in the region.
The recent incidents occurred a week after previous attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, underscoring escalating tensions and the need for coordinated responses to safeguard maritime activities.
