- Drones struck two ships in the Black Sea off Bulgaria on Tuesday, sinking one and prompting emergency rescue operations, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said.
- The Ukrainian-owned Chelsea 3, sailing under a Maltese flag, was hit by three drones about 18 nautical miles off Bulgaria at about 1:30am Tuesday.
- The 15-man crew of Chelsea 3, including seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis, was rescued, with five receiving medical assistance.
- The Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Dignity sank after a military strike; five sailors were rescued and a search for 11 crew members continues.
- Radev called the incident 'absolutely unacceptable' and said Bulgaria is seeking NATO and EU assistance.
- NATO chief Mark Rutte said the alliance would adjust its defences 'as needed' and continue to monitor the security environment.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack, saying the Black Sea 'has become another front of escalation' in Russia's war in Ukraine.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha blamed Russia for the attacks, stating 'Russia's latest attack on commercial vessels near Bulgaria's territorial waters... demonstrates Moscow's deliberate disregard for civilian lives.'
Drones targeted two ships in the Black Sea off Bulgaria on Tuesday, resulting in the sinking of the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Dignity and prompting emergency rescue operations.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed that five sailors were rescued, while a search for the remaining 11 crew members continues.
The Ukrainian-operated Chelsea 3, sailing under a Maltese flag, was also struck, with its 15 crew members, including seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis, successfully evacuated.
Radev described the attacks as 'absolutely unacceptable' during an emergency meeting of Bulgaria's Security Council, emphasizing the need for NATO and EU assistance.
He noted that while there is no clear evidence of the attackers, the situation benefits Russia, stating, 'it makes no sense for Ukraine to destroy its own ships in the Black Sea.'
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the drone strikes, calling them 'unacceptable' and highlighting the danger posed to crew members.910
NATO chief Mark Rutte assured that the alliance would adjust its defenses as necessary, reinforcing their commitment to monitor the security environment in the Black Sea region.8
The incident raises concerns over hybrid attacks involving Russia, as tensions escalate in the area, which is crucial for both Russian and Ukrainian maritime operations.
“The Ukrainian-owned Chelsea 3 was struck by three drones about 18 nautical miles off Bulgaria, and its 15-man crew—seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis—was rescued, with five receiving medical treatment. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged Dignity sank, and five sailors were rescued while a search continues for 11 others, as NATO chief Mark Rutte said the alliance would adjust its defences 'as needed.'”
AP News
