Overview
- The strikes, which occurred on Tuesday, damaged the Maltese‑flagged, Ukrainian‑owned Chelsea 3 and hit a second vessel that later sank, and all 15 crew from the Chelsea 3 were rescued with five treated for minor injuries.
- Bulgaria’s prime minister said there is no conclusive attribution but that the outcome benefits Russia, he will summon the Russian ambassador and will seek NATO and EU assistance for the investigation.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attacks as an escalation of the war in Ukraine and said those responsible should be held to account.
- This is the second round of drone strikes on merchant vessels in Bulgarian waters in a week, following attacks on October 6 that sank the Togo‑flagged Alfa Watan and damaged the Able.
- The incidents have raised immediate safety and commercial concerns by threatening grain and commodity routes, increasing insurance and navigation costs, and underscoring calls for better air and maritime surveillance.