Bulgarian PM says drone attack on 2 commercial vessels is ‘blatant violation of international law’
Authorities said 18 crew members were evacuated and two sailors were badly hurt as the attack raised fears of pollution and wider disruption to Black Sea shipping.
- On Tuesday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev reported that sea and aerial drones struck two commercial vessels about 80 miles off Bulgaria's coast, sinking the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan and setting the Palau-flagged Able ablaze.
- This attack follows a Monday incident where a Turkish-owned cargo ship sank off Romania, killing two people. The Russia-Ukraine war increasingly disrupts Black Sea shipping, driving up insurance costs and threatening regional security.
- Radev denounced the strike as "an unacceptable attack in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone," violating international maritime law. Bulgarian ferry evacuated 18 crew members from the Able; two sailors suffered severe injuries and were flown to hospital in Varna.
- NATO referred inquiries regarding drone origins to Bulgarian authorities, citing insufficient evidence for attribution. Radev stated it remains unclear whether the drones originated from Russia or Ukraine, as investigations continue.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attacks, stating, "Commercial ships – and innocent crews – are being targeted, with lives already lost at sea." Radev warned the war could expand geographically, increasing global conflict risks.
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140 Articles
Bulgaria’s leader says drone attack hits 2 commercial vessels; Ukraine’s president blames Russia
Bulgaria’s prime minister says that two commercial vessels have been struck by drones in the first attack on shipping in the NATO member’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.
Sapo
ObservadorThe Bulgarian Prime Minister described what happened as "absolutely unacceptable" and a flagrant violation of international law.
Drones have attacked two ships in the Black Sea, off the coast of Bulgaria. One ship sank and a fire broke out on the other. It is still unclear who is behind this. But according to Timo Koster, former Director of Defence Policy at NATO, it appears that Russia is behind it.
Volodymyr Zelensky stated tonight that the Ukrainian Defense Forces did not conduct any operations in Bulgarian waters.
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