Two cargo ships were targeted in drone attacks near the Bulgarian coast on October 13, 2026. Following these attacks, the Bulgarian government summoned the Russian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry and demanded explanations from him. Bulgarian officials claimed that Russia is using these attacks as a tool to escalate tensions in the Black Sea.
Details of the Attacks and Consequences
The ship "Chelsea 3" flying the Maltese flag and another vessel named "HS Dignity" flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau were both attacked near the Bulgarian coast. The ship "Chelsea 3" was attacked at 01:30 AM, 18 nautical miles (33 kilometers) from the Bulgarian coast near the town of Byala. The ship "HS Dignity" was also damaged 17 miles away from the village of Krapets and sank; 11 of its crew members are still missing.
Read more: Bulgarian Navy Deployed to the Attack Site to Find Evidence
The recent attacks near Bulgaria's 12-mile maritime zone have raised growing concerns about the security of shipping in the Black Sea. These attacks have impacted Ukraine's grain exports and created new risks for commercial shipping in the region. Bulgarian officials stated that these incidents have led to increased insurance costs and even reluctance to transfer shipments to Bulgarian ports.
Reactions and International Support
Roman Radev, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, stated in a statement that there is no logic in Ukraine wanting to harm its own ships, and the outcome of these attacks benefits Russia. Meanwhile, the Russian ambassador in Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, responded to this argument, stating that she has no information from the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding the recent attacks and suspects that these attacks may be provocations from a third country.
The recent attacks in the Black Sea have also caught NATO's attention. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's Secretary-General, emphasized after talks with the Bulgarian Prime Minister that the organization is strengthening its positions in the eastern region and will continue to monitor the security environment. Bulgaria has also requested assistance from NATO and the European Union to investigate the recent incidents.
Given the increase in attacks and existing tensions in the Black Sea, the President of Bulgaria, Iliana Yotova, also emphasized in a security meeting that the freedom of navigation and the safety of supply chains are severely threatened, posing significant risks to the country.
Read more: Russia's Attack on a Liberian-Flagged Oil Tanker in Odessa Port · Increase in Sanctions on Oil Shipments in the Black Sea and the Middle East
