Sofia summons Russia’s ambassador and asks NATO for support, but officials say there is no clear evidence yet of who launched the drones.
A Bulgaria drone attack sank a cargo ship in the Black Sea overnight on Tuesday, leaving 11 sailors missing, Bulgarian officials said. According to Reuters, it was the second deadly sinking of a cargo vessel near Bulgaria in a week, and it led Sofia to summon Russia’s ambassador. Al Jazeera reported that Prime Minister Rumen Radev said authorities have no clear evidence of who carried out the strike. Follow our latest Russia Ukraine war coverage for wider context.
What Happened in the Black Sea
Bulgarian officials said two cargo ships were hit overnight near the villages of Krapets and Byala, CNN reported. Five crew members were rescued from the ship that sank, while 11 remain missing, according to Reuters in a version published by the Irish Times. President Iliana Iotova identified the vessel as the HS Dignity, flagged in Guinea Bissau. Reuters separately reported that Bulgarian media named it the Azov Concord, so accounts of the ship’s name differ.
The second vessel, the Chelsea 3, was struck by three drones about 18 nautical miles off Byala, CNN reported. All 15 crew members, seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis, were rescued and taken to the port of Varna.
Was the Cargo Ship Russian? Who Is Behind the Attack?
None of the reports reviewed by Tamrah News describe the sunken vessel as Russian. CNN reported that the Chelsea 3 sails under the Maltese flag and is Ukrainian owned. Reuters said the manager of the Azov Concord, which is based in Turkey, was not immediately available for comment.
Reuters reported that Bulgaria stopped short of accusing Russia directly, but Radev said the outcome of the strikes benefits the Russian Federation. He called the attack “absolutely unacceptable.” According to CBC, Radev told the Russian ambassador that it makes no sense for Ukraine to destroy its own ships.
Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova said she had no information from Russia’s Defense Ministry about attacks on commercial vessels. The Bulgarian government said she did not rule out a provocation by a third party, the Moscow Times reported. Al Jazeera reported that Ukraine blamed Russia for a separate drone attack off Romania last week that killed two people.
Search for Missing Sailors Continues
A week earlier, nine Syrian sailors and one Egyptian were lost when drones hit a ship in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, Reuters reported. Al Jazeera reported that Bulgarian authorities ended that search after finding no survivors. Officials said the search for the missing sailors from this week’s sinking was under way on Tuesday.
Could the Bulgaria Drone Attack Escalate the Black Sea War?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Black Sea had become “another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine,” Al Jazeera reported. CNN reported that Radev informed NATO and the European Union and asked for help to strengthen air and maritime surveillance. Newsweek reported that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he had spoken with Radev.
Stars and Stripes reported that such incidents would not automatically trigger NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause. Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said Bulgaria will deploy two extra drone systems and more missile systems to the Black Sea area, Newsweek reported, citing the Bulgarian news agency BTA. Read more in our NATO and European security reports
Black Sea Shipping Under Pressure
In August, Russia rejected the idea of a Black Sea ceasefire after Turkey said it had proposed a moratorium on military operations, according to Reuters via TimesLIVE. The same report said Russia and Ukraine had both stepped up attacks on commercial ships, pushing world grain prices higher.
FAQs
What is the Bulgaria drone attack in the Black Sea?
Drones struck two cargo ships off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast overnight on October 13, and one ship sank, Bulgarian officials said.
Was the cargo ship that sinks in the Bulgaria drone attack Russian?
No report reviewed describes the sunken vessel as Russian. Iotova named it as the Guinea Bissau flagged HS Dignity, while Bulgarian media named it the Azov Concord, according to Reuters.
How many missing sailors are there after the Bulgaria drone attack?
Bulgarian officials listed 11 missing sailors and five rescued crew members from the ship that sank, according to Reuters.
Who is responsible for the Bulgaria drone attack?
No one has been officially named. Radev said Bulgaria lacks clear evidence, though he said the outcome benefits Russia. The Russian ambassador said she had no information about the attacks.
Will the Bulgaria drone attack trigger NATO Article 5 or cause escalation?
Stars and Stripes reported that such incidents would not automatically trigger Article 5. Von der Leyen called the Black Sea another front of escalation in the war, according to Al Jazeera.
Why was the Russian ambassador summoned over the cargo ship sinking?
Bulgaria summoned the Russian ambassador after the second deadly drone strike on cargo ships in a week, Reuters reported.
What does the Bulgaria drone attack mean for Black Sea shipping?
Reuters has reported that stepped up attacks by Russia and Ukraine on commercial ships have pushed world grain prices higher.
