Bulgaria Blames Russia for Drone Attacks on Two Ships in Black Sea, One Sinks
On October 13, 2026, two commercial vessels in the Black Sea near Bulgaria's coast were attacked by drones, with one sinking. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev accused Russia of involvement, summoning the Russian ambassador. The EU and NATO condemned the attacks, raising concerns about maritime security.
Where Sources Diverge
Some sources report that 11 crew members are missing, while others mention 10 missing and 6 rescued.
Eleven crew members are missing and one sailor was saved.
Six crew members are rescued but 10 are missing.
The ownership of the 'Chelsea 3' is mentioned in some sources as Ukrainian, while others attribute it to Malta.
The 'Chelsea 3' was hit by three drones and sank in the second such incident in a week, with all crew members rescued.
Malta-flagged ship hit by three drones in Black Sea, crew rescued.
The exact location of the attack is mentioned as 31 km east of Krapets by some sources, while others do not specify the location.
One of the vessels sank 31 km east of the village of Krapets.
Drones hit ships in Black Sea, sinking 1 and prompting rescue operations, Bulgaria says.
The number of casualties and the exact number of rescued individuals vary across sources.
Eleven crew members are missing and one sailor was saved.
Six crew members are rescued but 10 are missing.
Seven Ukrainian and eight Azerbaijani citizens rescued.
Timelines
Sources
EU: drone attack near Bulgaria, NATO warning to Russia RNZ
Six crew members are rescued but 10 are missing after a merchant ship was sunk overnight, Bulgaria says.
Six crew members are rescued but 10 are missing after a merchant ship was sunk overnight, Bulgaria says.
Drone attacks near Bulgaria sank a cargo ship, damaged another, and caused new diplomatic tensions between Sofia and Moscow.
Two merchant ships were struck by drones on Tuesday off the coast of Bulgaria, a week after a similar attack in eastern Europe. The Bulgarian prime minister has summoned the Russian embassy, pointing to Moscow's probable responsibility.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has summoned the Russian ambassador after two merchant ships were struck by drones off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, the BBC reports. Eleven crew members are missing and one sailor was saved, according to local officials, after one of the vessels sank 31km east of the village of Krapets. The other …
Drone Attacks Sink Ship Off Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast Tasnim
Bulgaria PM summons Russian ambassador after merchant ship attacks Xinhua
Off the coast of Bulgaria in the Black Sea, drones hit two ships, one of which sank, reported Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev today. This is a new incident following last week when drones also hit two ships in the same area. The EU condemned the incident, and the first possible candidate, Nata Mark Rutte, stated that the alliance will adjust its defense posture as needed.
Bulgaria's prime minister says two merchant ships were hit by drones and he suspects Russia was behind the attacks.
Bulgaria's prime minister says two merchant ships were hit by drones and he suspects Russia was behind the attacks.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev called the attacks "absolutely unacceptable" and said Bulgaria had informed its permanent representatives to NATO and the European Union.
Two ships hit as drones attack off Bulgaria: PM Al Arabiya English
Off the coast of Bulgaria in the Black Sea, drones hit two ships, one of which sank, reported Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev today. This is a new incident following the previous week when drones also hit two ships in the same area. Radev labeled the attacks as unacceptable. The EU also condemned the attacks, while in Kyiv, responsibility was attributed to Moscow.
War in Ukraine - World Ahram Online
Two ships hit as drones attack off Bulgaria: PM - War in Ukraine - World - Ahram Online
Two commercial ships have been hit by drones off Bulgaria's coast, reports the country's prime minister Rumen Radev.
The head of government informed that he will discuss the situation with the leadership of the Alliance shortly.
Two commercial vessels were attacked at night on October 13 in the Black Sea off the coast of Bulgaria, stated the country's prime minister Rumen Radev.
PM Rumen Radev says the “Chelsea 3” was hit by three drones and sank in the second such incident in a week, with all crew members rescued
Two ships were hit by drones near the Bulgarian coast of the Black Sea, and one of them sank, announced on Tuesday Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. It is the second such incident in the last week, reports Reuters. The ship Chelsea 3, owned by Ukrainian and under a Maltese flag, was hit by...
Two commercial ships were involved in serious incidents in the territorial waters of Bulgaria, after being hit by drones in the Black Sea. One of the vessels was damaged, and the other sank, triggering an emergency meeting of the Security Council in Sofia.
In the Black Sea near Bulgaria's coast, drones attacked two ships and sank one, requiring the launch of urgent rescue operations, announced Prime Minister Rumen Radev early Tuesday morning.
A suspected Russian drone attack has hit two ships off the coast of Bulgaria in the Black Sea, sinking one of the vessels. The incident occurred about 15 miles off Bulgaria's coast, with seven Ukrainian and eight Azerbaijani citizens rescued
(Adnkronos) - Prime Minister Roumen Radev announced this, stating his intention to call the Russian ambassador. NATO has been informed
The Bulgarian prime minister said one person was rescued from one ship and at least a dozen from the other. One of the ships is owned by a Ukrainian.
A drone assault near the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria led to one ship's sinking and damage to another. The Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3 was impacted, but all crew members were rescued unharmed. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev labeled the attacks intolerable and emphasized maritime security concerns. Similar incidents were recorded earlier in the month, highlighting rising threats to commercial shipping.
Off the coast of Bulgaria in the Black Sea, drones hit two ships, one of which sank, reported Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev today. This is a new incident off the Bulgarian coast, following the previous week when drones also hit two ships in the same area. Radev described the attacks as unacceptable.
Drones have struck two ships in the Black Sea off Bulgaria, sinking a Ukrainian-owned vessel in the second such incident in only days.
Malta-flagged ship hit by three drones in Black Sea, crew rescued Times of Malta
Off the coast of Bulgaria in the Black Sea, drones again hit two ships, one of which sank, reported Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev today. This is a new incident off the Bulgarian coast, following the attacks on two ships in the same area the previous week. Radev described the attacks as unacceptable.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that during the night, around 32 km from the Bulgarian coast, another drone attack occurred on merchant ships in the Black Sea. One vessel sank.
Drone sinks Ukrainian-owned ship off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, prime minister says The Straits Times
Two commercial vessels in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea were attacked by drones. The prime minister of the country, Rumen Radev, reported this on October 13.
At least thirteen sailors have been injured in the two attacks
Drones hit ships in Black Sea, sinking 1 and prompting rescue operations, Bulgaria says AP News
Drone sinks Ukrainian-owned ship off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, prime minister says Reuters