Russia's drone threat spreads beyond Ukraine, hitting ships near Bulgaria
Drones targeted vessels off the Bulgarian coast (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The drone attack on two merchant vessels near Bulgaria creates additional risks not only for Ukraine-linked ships but also for international commercial shipping in the Black Sea, according to Bulgarian outlet NOVA.
Drones targeted vessels on international routes
The assault occurred around 3 a.m. on October 6, approximately 70–80 nautical miles east of the Bulgarian coast, near Byala. The vessels targeted were:
- ALFA WATAN, sailing under the flag of Togo
- ABLE, sailing under the flag of Palau.
The outlet says ALFA WATAN sustained critical damage and sank. The crew's fate remains unknown. Bulgarian services are conducting a search-and-rescue operation.
Read also: Türkiye and UN prepare new Ukraine-Russia talks on Black Sea ceasefire
The second vessel, ABLE, caught fire after the attack. Its 18-member crew was evacuated and rescued. Some of the sailors were injured. According to Bulgarian authorities, the crew members were citizens of Türkiye and India.
Attack could affect worldwide shipping
The vessels' route is particularly significant. They were in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone and were not heading to Ukrainian ports. One vessel was traveling from Egypt to Romania, while the other was sailing from Romania to Türkiye.
This broadens the context of the threat to Black Sea shipping. The risks affect not only merchant vessels linked to Ukrainian ports but also international routes connecting countries in the region with other states.
After the assault, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev convened an emergency meeting with representatives of the security services, the defense, interior, and transport ministries, as well as other security agencies.
Minister Radev called the attack absolutely unacceptable and said it constituted a gross violation of international law and maritime rules.
Read also: Russia attacks civilian vessel at port in Odesa region: Sailor killed, others injured
According to him, such assaults pose increasingly serious risks to civilian vessels in the Black Sea and could also raise insurance costs and complicate maritime transportation.
Threat goes beyond Ukrainian routes
Thus, the drone attack near Bulgaria shows that the danger to civilian shipping can extend to international routes in the western Black Sea, regardless of whether they are connected to Ukrainian ports.
Notably, the assault came a day after a strike on a merchant vessel in Romania's economic zone. The vessel, which was carrying corn from Ukraine to Italy, was targeted by Russian drones.
