Drone Attacks in Black Sea Sink Cargo Ships

Incident off the Bulgarian Coast

Tensions in the Black Sea have escalated following drone and maritime vessel attacks on cargo ships. The incident occurred within Bulgaria's economic zone, approximately 128 kilometres from the coast. This marks the first time such an attack has been recorded within the maritime space of a NATO member nation.

The attack resulted in the sinking of the Togo-flagged vessel Alfa Watan, while the Palau-flagged ship Able was destroyed by fire. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev described the event as a gross violation of international and maritime law, labelling the attack an unacceptable act.

Rescue Operation and Aftermath

During the rescue operation, a Bulgarian ferry managed to evacuate 18 crew members from the Able. Two of the injured are in critical condition and have been transported to a clinic in Varna. Unfortunately, the fate of the crew from the sunken Alfa Watan remains unknown. Reports indicate that the attack has claimed the lives of at least two sailors.

Experts view these ongoing events as an expansion of the so-called 'hybrid war' conducted by Russia in parallel with its invasion of Ukraine. The security of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, already in a difficult position, has entered an even more critical phase following these incidents. The international community is investigating the details, as this act of aggression near the borders of a NATO member state presents new security challenges.