Two commercial vessels have been struck by drones in the Black Sea off Bulgaria’s coast, leaving one ship sunk and triggering emergency search-and-rescue operations, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The attacks have heightened concerns about maritime safety in the region as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to threaten commercial shipping routes.
According to Bulgarian authorities, one crew member from the sunken vessel was rescued, while the fate of the remaining crew members had not been confirmed in the initial reports. The second vessel, the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3, was also hit but its entire crew of 15 people was evacuated safely. Five crew members received medical treatment for minor injuries.
Bulgaria Launches Rescue Operations After Drone Strikes
The attacks occurred off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, prompting an urgent response from the country’s maritime and security authorities.
The Chelsea 3, which was operated by Ukraine and sailed under the Maltese flag, was reportedly struck by three aerial drones that damaged its deck and hull. Its crew included seven Ukrainian citizens and eight Azerbaijani citizens.
The second vessel, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Dignity, sank following the attack. Bulgarian authorities continued efforts to establish what happened to its crew and determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Radev condemned the attacks as unacceptable and called for assistance from the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Responsibility for Attacks Remains Unclear
Bulgarian officials said they did not have conclusive evidence identifying those responsible for the drone strikes.
Radev suggested that the outcome of the attacks benefited Russia, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha directly accused Moscow of targeting commercial vessels and endangering civilian lives.
However, responsibility for the latest incidents had not been independently established, and Russia had not immediately commented on the attacks.
The incidents come amid growing concerns about the security of merchant vessels operating in the western Black Sea, where maritime traffic has faced increasing risks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Black Sea Shipping Faces Growing Security Risks
The Black Sea is an important route for international trade, including the transportation of agricultural products and other commodities. Attacks on commercial vessels threaten sailors, disrupt shipping operations and can increase insurance and transportation costs.
The latest strikes also follow another series of drone attacks on commercial ships in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone the previous week, when one vessel sank and another caught fire.
Bulgarian authorities are working with international partners as they assess the security implications and continue rescue and investigative efforts. The incidents have renewed calls for stronger protection of maritime traffic and greater cooperation to prevent further attacks.
Swifteradio.com
