Bulgaria reports second drone strike in a week, sinking one cargo ship

On Tuesday morning, two more merchant vessels were struck by suspected Russian drone strikes in the Black Sea, with one cargo ship sinking and eleven crew members still missing. The attacks occurred approximately 18 nautical miles off the Bulgarian coast, targeting a Maltese-flagged Ukrainian general cargoship named Chelsea 3 and a Guinea-Bissau-flagged general cargoship called HS Dignity.

Attacks Details:

Ship Chelsea 3

The Ukrainian-owned Chelsea 3, which sails under the Maltese flag, was hit by three aerial drones early Tuesday morning. The ship was approximately 18 nautical miles east of Byala when it came under attack. All 15 crew members were rescued; seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis. Five seafarers required medical attention but no serious injuries were reported.

Ship HS Dignity

The second vessel, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity, was hit by a drone strike around 17 nautical miles east of Krapets. Bulgarian officials confirmed that six crew members from this ship were rescued, while 10 remain missing and presumed dead. The attack occurred just outside Bulgaria’s territorial waters but within its exclusive economic zone.

Response from Authorities

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev summoned the Russian ambassador following these attacks, expressing strong condemnation of the actions as "absolutely unacceptable." Radev stated that their outcome "benefits the Russian Federation," though no concrete evidence was provided. The incident comes a week after two other ships were hit by drone strikes in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone.

Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said, "This is absolutely unacceptable — another attack in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters." Radev also spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging for support to bolster Bulgaria's maritime surveillance capabilities.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attacks, stating that "the Black Sea is a lifeline for global food security. Russia is attacking it to weaponise hunger and hold the world hostage." The European Commission also expressed strong condemnation, noting the escalation in the region as another front of the Russian war in Ukraine.

Regional Impact

The increasing number of attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria's coast highlights a growing concern among regional maritime stakeholders. The drone strikes pose significant risks to crew safety and disrupt regular shipping operations in the Black Sea. Bulgarian officials are calling for NATO and EU assistance to strengthen security measures.

What this means for operators

The recent attacks underscore the necessity for ship operators to enhance their vigilance and preparedness against potential drone threats. Operators should review their emergency response plans, coordinate with local authorities for real-time situational awareness, and consider implementing additional security measures on board. Additionally, increased monitoring of vessel movements in the affected areas is crucial to ensure timely detection and reporting of any suspicious activities.