{
  "id": 14157989,
  "title": "Drones strike Malta-flagged ship off the coast of Bulgaria; Ukraine’s FM responds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/drones-strike-malta-flagged-ship-off-the-coast-of-bulgaria-ukraines",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T08:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Voice of Ukraine",
    "slug": "new-voice-of-ukraine",
    "url": "https://english.nv.ua/nation/drone-strike-on-malta-flagged-ship-in-black-sea-draws-response-from-ukraine-50649545.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "A Malta-flagged cargo ship managed by an Odesa-based company was hit by drones off the Bulgarian coast in the Black Sea, drawing an immediate reaction from Ukraine’s foreign ministry, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev reported on October 13.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Two ships hit by drones in Black Sea, one sank, Bulgaria's PM says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/two-ships-hit-by-drones-in-black-sea-one-sank-bulgarias-pm-says",
        "published": "2026-10-13T05:33:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Interfax-Ukraine",
        "title": "Drones hit more merchant ships off Bulgaria - media",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/drones-hit-more-merchant-ships-off-bulgaria-media",
        "published": "2026-10-13T07:18:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "'Absolutely unacceptable' — Commercial vessel hit by drones near Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, says Prime Minister Radev",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/absolutely-unacceptable-commercial-vessel-hit-by-drones-near",
        "published": "2026-10-13T08:22:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "EU chief condemns drone attacks on Black Sea shipping near Bulgaria",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/eu-chief-condemns-drone-attacks-on-black-sea-shipping-near-bulgaria",
        "published": "2026-10-13T08:25:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "Drones hit ships in Black Sea, sinking 1 and prompting rescue, Bulgaria says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/drones-hit-ships-in-black-sea-sinking-1-and-prompting-rescue-bulgaria",
        "published": "2026-10-13T08:44:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Bulgaria seeks Nato support after Black Sea drone strikes hit merchant ships, sinking 1",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/bulgaria-seeks-nato-support-after-black-sea-drone-strikes-hit",
        "published": "2026-10-13T09:57:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}