Russian drone strikes hit two commercial vessels near Bulgaria, prompting NATO response talks
Two merchant ships were struck by drones in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, sinking one and setting another ablaze, while authorities seek a coordinated NATO reaction.
In the Black Sea, drones attacked two commercial ships operating near Bulgaria's coast, sinking the ALFA WATAN and setting the ABLE on fire; rescue teams saved 18 crew members, though two sustained injuries. The Bulgarian ship Dioskouria joined the rescue effort, and Bulgarian authorities launched two helicopters and Su-25 jets to search for missing sailors. Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the attacks as a grave breach of international maritime law and warned of heightened navigation risks.
Bulgaria has asked the EU and NATO for a coordinated reaction and is weighing a call for Article 4 consultations, which would allow member states to discuss security threats without obligating collective military action. Experts suggest the strikes aim to hinder Ukraine's maritime trade and test NATO's defensive readiness.
Why it matters
The attacks threaten commercial shipping in the Black Sea and test NATO's collective security commitments.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Fire engulfs vessel near Romania's economic zone, crew evacuated by helicopter
- Oct 5 A helicopter rescued eleven crew members before the ship sank.
- Oct 6 Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the crew of a ship sunk by a drone strike in Bulgaria's Black Sea zone remains missing.
- Oct 6 Prime Minister Rumen Radev convened an emergency government meeting following the attacks.
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