Bulgaria to summon Russian ambassador over drone attacks on merchant vessels

Two merchant ships were attacked by drones on the night of 12-13 October off the Bulgarian coast, causing one of the vessels to sink. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has announced his intention to summon Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova for explanations, although the origin of the drones has not yet been established.

Source: European Pravda, citing Bulgarian media outlet BGNES

Details: Two merchant vessels came under attack during separate incidents in the Black Sea on the night of 12-13 October, according to information provided at an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

The Maltese-flagged cargo ship Chelsea 3 was attacked by three drones approximately 18 nautical miles east of the town of Byala. They hit the ship's deck and the side of its hull. All 15 crew members were evacuated and taken to Varna. Early reports indicate that five crew members received medical treatment for minor injuries.

The Chelsea 3 sails under the Maltese flag, is registered in Odesa and, according to the information provided, is Ukrainian-owned.

Another vessel sank approximately 17 nautical miles east of Krapets. For now, one crew member has been reported to have been rescued.

Rumen Radev announced that he would summon Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova and hold discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

"Another attack on merchant ships in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters is absolutely unacceptable," Radev stated.

The prime minister said that Bulgaria would demand explanations from Russian Ambassador Mitrofanova. He also specified that at this moment there is no conclusive evidence regarding the origin of the drones that would allow responsibility for the attacks to be attributed to a specific state. However, according to Radev, "the logic of what is happening suggests that the outcome of the attacks benefits the Russian Federation".

Radev noted that Bulgaria's permanent representatives to NATO and the European Union have been informed about these incidents.

Background:

• On 6 October drones attacked two commercial vessels – the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan and the Palau-flagged Able – in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian Navy had contacted its Bulgarian counterparts regarding the attack on two civilian vessels in Bulgarian waters. Zelenskyy stated that the attack had been carried out by Russia.
• Bulgaria has asked the EU and NATO for assistance in investigating the drone attacks in the Black Sea.

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