Bulgaria seeks Nato support after Black Sea drone strikes hit merchant ships, sinking 1

A Malta-flagged cargo ship, managed by a company based in Odessa, was hit by drones off the Bulgarian coast in the Black Sea on October 13, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The incident occurred 18 nautical miles east of the town of Byala, with the crew reporting that three drones struck the ship's deck and side.

All 15 crew members, comprising seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis, were safely evacuated to the port of Varna. Five crew members are currently receiving medical attention. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev called the attack "absolutely unacceptable" and noted that the outcome appeared to benefit Russia. He summoned the Russian Ambassador for a meeting to discuss the incident.

Ukrainian officials are seeking international assistance to strengthen the country's air and maritime surveillance capabilities and have not been able to attribute responsibility to any specific country. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha emphasized that Russia's attacks on commercial vessels near Bulgarian territorial waters demonstrate Moscow's disregard for civilian lives and maritime security in the Black Sea.

He called for international partners to increase pressure on Russia and hold it accountable while protecting freedom of navigation. This incident marks the first drone attack in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, according to Bulgarian media.