Bulgaria Summons Russian Ambassador as Attacks on Commercial Vessels Raise Maritime Security Concerns Across the Black Sea
Two cargo ships have been struck by drones in the Black Sea, with one vessel reportedly sinking and renewed concerns emerging over the safety of commercial shipping near Bulgaria. The incidents have prompted Sofia to summon Russia’s ambassador and seek assistance from NATO and the European Union, amid growing tensions linked to the war in Ukraine.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the attacks, warning that commercial vessels were being targeted dangerously close to the country’s territorial waters. However, Bulgarian authorities have said that the perpetrators have not yet been conclusively identified.
Ukraine and European Union officials have pointed to Russia, but Moscow’s responsibility for the latest incidents has not been independently established.
Two Cargo Ships Hit by Drones
According to Bulgarian Prime Minister Radev, the cargo ship Chelsea 3, reportedly owned by Ukrainian interests and sailing under a foreign flag, was hit by three aerial drones off Bulgaria’s coast.
All 15 crew members were rescued. They included seven Ukrainian nationals and eight Azerbaijani nationals.
Shortly afterward, a second vessel was struck and sank. Bulgarian authorities confirmed that one crew member had been rescued, but further details about the ship and the fate of the remaining people on board were not immediately available.
The incidents have raised serious concerns about the risks facing civilian vessels operating along important Black Sea shipping routes.
Commercial shipping in the region is already exposed to the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war, including drone attacks, naval threats, and damage to maritime infrastructure.
Bulgaria Summons Russia’s Ambassador
The attacks have triggered a diplomatic response from Sofia.
Bulgaria summoned the Russian ambassador and raised the issue with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The government also requested technical assistance to help determine the origin of the drones and called on the European Union and NATO to examine the incidents as a priority.
Although Bulgarian officials have expressed concern about Russia’s potential involvement, they have stopped short of presenting definitive evidence identifying the perpetrators.
Radev suggested that Russia could benefit from the attacks, but acknowledged that the available evidence did not clearly establish who was responsible.
The distinction is significant because any formal attribution could have wider diplomatic and security consequences for Bulgaria and its NATO allies.
European Union and Ukraine Condemn the Attacks
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the strikes, describing them as another escalation connected to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also accused Moscow of endangering civilian lives and threatening maritime security.
Kyiv warned that attacks on commercial vessels could disrupt one of the region’s most important trade corridors, which is used to transport grain and other essential goods to international markets.
The Black Sea remains strategically important for global food supplies and regional commerce. Continued attacks on merchant ships could increase shipping risks, insurance costs, and uncertainty for businesses operating in the area.
However, responsibility for the latest attacks remains unconfirmed, and the allegations against Russia should be distinguished from independently established findings.
A Wider Pattern of Maritime Security Incidents
The latest incidents come amid reports of additional attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
According to the supplied report, two other merchant ships were struck off Bulgaria’s coast during the preceding week. A separate vessel also caught fire and sank near Romania, with one person reportedly killed and another missing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian drones of striking the vessel near Romania. The circumstances surrounding that incident, including the precise cause of the fire and the responsibility for the attack, require further confirmation.
Maritime security firm Ambrey has reportedly recorded at least 45 attacks on merchant vessels over the preceding 12 months in parts of the Black Sea that had previously been considered lower-risk areas.
If confirmed, the broader pattern would underline the increasing danger facing civilian shipping beyond the immediate areas of military confrontation between Russia and Ukraine.
Could the Attacks Affect NATO Security?
Bulgaria’s position as both a NATO and European Union member adds another dimension to the incidents.
Attacks near Bulgarian territorial waters raise questions about the protection of commercial shipping and the possibility that the war could generate wider regional tensions.
Nevertheless, an attack near the coast of a NATO member does not automatically constitute an attack on NATO territory or trigger the alliance’s collective-defence provisions. The circumstances, location, attribution, and nature of an incident would all be relevant to any assessment.
For now, Bulgaria is seeking technical assistance and coordination with its European and NATO partners while authorities work to establish what happened.
A Growing Threat to Black Sea Trade
The latest drone strikes highlight the vulnerability of commercial shipping in a region already affected by a prolonged war.
With one cargo ship reportedly sunk, another damaged, and questions remaining about the people aboard the second vessel, the immediate priority is to establish the full circumstances of the attacks and account for any missing crew members.
The diplomatic consequences could also grow if investigators identify those responsible.
For Bulgaria and its partners, the challenge is to strengthen maritime security without escalating tensions on the basis of unverified allegations.
As investigations continue, a central question remains: how can commercial vessels be protected from the widening risks of the Russia-Ukraine conflict while keeping vital Black Sea trade routes open?
