Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, Rumen Radev, condemned a recent drone attack on two commercial vessels in the Black Sea’s exclusive economic zone, marking the first assault on shipping in the NATO member’s territory. Radev described the incident as a clear violation of international and maritime laws during a press briefing following an urgent government meeting. The attack, carried out by sea and aerial drones at approximately 3 a.m. local time near Byala, resulted in significant damage to the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan, which sank at the site. The fate of the crew aboard the vessel remains unknown.
The second ship targeted was the Palau-flagged Able, which caught fire post-attack. All 18 crew members were safely evacuated by a Bulgarian ferry, with two sailors sustaining severe injuries and receiving treatment at a hospital in Varna. The origin of the drones remains unconfirmed.
Radev disclosed that the Able was transporting wheat southward, while the Alfa Watan was traveling north, carrying an unspecified cargo. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation for potential environmental hazards such as oil spills. Radev emphasized the necessity of conducting search and rescue operations to uphold the safety of all maritime activities within the exclusive economic zone, acknowledging the disruptive impact of the attacks on Black Sea shipping and the increased challenges faced by the shipping industry.
Expressing concerns over the escalating conflict, Radev highlighted the expanding geographical scope of the war and its potential to trigger broader global conflicts. NATO refrained from commenting on the matter, deferring all queries regarding the drone attacks to Bulgarian authorities.
In a related incident, a Turkish-owned cargo ship carrying corn was targeted by drones a day earlier, resulting in a fire that led to the vessel sinking off Romania’s coast in the Black Sea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a severe strike by Russian drones on a civilian ship in neutral waters. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also denounced the assaults on civilian vessels, emphasizing the loss of lives at sea and the unacceptable targeting of commercial ships.
Amidst the escalating tensions, the Russian Defence Ministry reported launching drone strikes on targets in Ukraine’s Odesa region, affecting port infrastructure and a bulk carrier in Chornomorsk. Russia further claimed intercepting nearly 900 Ukrainian drones in various regions, including the Crimean Peninsula and the Sea of Azov. Ukraine’s development of long-range drones and missiles has enabled it to retaliate against Russian incursions over the past few years.
The series of drone attacks on shipping in the Black Sea has raised concerns about maritime security and the potential for wider conflict in the region, underscoring the need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
