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Overview
- Two commercial vessels were struck by drones on Tuesday, one of them identified as the HS Dignity sank and 11 crew members are missing as search-and-rescue operations continue.
- All 15 crew of the Malta-flagged Chelsea 3 were rescued after being hit and five people received treatment for minor injuries.
- Bulgaria summoned the Russian ambassador and has not formally blamed Moscow but Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the attacks 'benefit the Russian Federation', while the Russian envoy said Moscow had no Defence Ministry information and did not rule out third-party provocation.
- Sofia has asked NATO and the European Commission for technical and surveillance support and NATO leaders have said they will adjust the alliance’s presence on the eastern flank if needed.
- The incidents follow similar drone strikes in the same region a week earlier and raise broader risks to Black Sea commercial routes used for grain exports as drone technology lets attackers strike farther from shore.