Drone attacks on two commercial ships in the Black Sea, near the shores of Bulgaria, resulted in the disappearance of 11 sailors from the HS Dignity ship. This attack occurred on October 13, 2026, and has become one of the most serious security developments in the region.
Details of the Attacks and the Status of the Missing
The HS Dignity ship, which was flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, sank due to the drone attacks, and currently, 11 of its sailors are missing. Five crew members of this ship have been rescued. The attack occurred near the village of Krapets and close to the Romanian border. This incident has also been recorded as the second sinking of a ship in this area in the past week.
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Another ship named Chelsea-3, which was sailing under the Maltese flag, was also targeted in the attacks, but all its crew, including seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis, were rescued and unharmed. Chelsea-3 had visited the Romanian port of Tulcea on October 3 and then headed towards the shores of Bulgaria.
Reactions and International Consequences
Roman Radev, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, expressed concern over these attacks, stating that the outcome of these attacks benefits the Russian Federation. While Bulgaria did not explicitly accuse Russia, these attacks elicited strong international reactions. Ukraine and the European Union also condemned the attacks and called on the global community to hold those responsible accountable for these unacceptable actions.
In the meantime, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense has also taken necessary measures to strengthen the country's maritime and aerial surveillance. Bulgarian diplomats discussed security in the Black Sea region with their counterparts from Romania and Turkey. Additionally, NATO announced that it would continue to adjust its military presence in Eastern Europe.
These attacks, as part of the long-standing war between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, have escalated tensions in the region and affected maritime security. Given that the Black Sea is one of the key routes for the export of grains from Ukraine and Russia, these attacks could have profound impacts on global food security.
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