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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday condemned drone attacks on two merchant ships off Bulgaria's coast, saying the Black Sea has become "another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine," as Bulgarian rescuers said they had saved 20 sailors.
"The Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine. This is unacceptable. I strongly condemn the drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria’s coast. Putting the lives of the crew in grave danger and threatening security in the Black Sea," von der Leyen wrote on X.
"We stand with Bulgaria and thank its rescuers for their swift response. Those responsible should be held accountable," she added.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also stated that NATO will continue to work closely with allies in the Black Sea, stating on X, "I spoke with Bulgarian PM Rumen Radev about the latest attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. NATO will continue to work closely with our Allies in the Black Sea. We have already strengthened our posture along the eastern flank and will continue to monitor the security environment, adjusting our deterrence and defense posture as needed."
It was the second wave of drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgarian waters in a week, and at least 45 merchant vessels have been attacked over the past year in Black Sea areas previously not considered high risk, maritime risk firm Ambrey said last month.
"The latest attack on a commercial vessel in the immediate vicinity of Bulgaria’s territorial waters is absolutely unacceptable," Prime Minister Rumen Radev wrote on X.
"At 01:30, a distress call was received from a vessel 18 nautical miles east of Byala. According to the crew, the Chelsea 3—sailing under the Maltese flag, registered in Odesa and Ukrainian-owned—was struck on its deck and side by three aerial drones," he noted.
"All 15 crew members—seven Ukrainian and eight Azerbaijani nationals—were safely transported to the port of Varna. Five are receiving medical assistance," he wrote.
"We do not have clear and conclusive evidence to attribute responsibility to either side. However, as I have already stated, the logic suggests that the outcome benefits the Russian Federation. I will therefore summon the Russian Ambassador for a meeting today," Radev said, adding that a second vessel was struck 17 nautical miles east of Krapets and sank, with one crew member rescued.
Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Lyubomir Nikolov later said five sailors, from Syria and Egypt, had been rescued from the second ship with help from passing merchant vessels.
He said authorities could not yet confirm whether that ship had sunk, but it was no longer sending signals. Its cargo and crew size were unclear.
"This night, too, we proved that the state works," Nikolov said, adding that the rescue of the Chelsea 3's crew took place in very rough seas. He said Bulgaria plans to equip its Black Sea border with anti-drone systems to detect unmanned aircraft in time.
"Repeated attacks on merchant ships in the immediate vicinity of Bulgaria’s territorial waters are completely unacceptable," Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova wrote on X.
"Security in the Black Sea is an integral part of Europe's security. Freedom of navigation and the safety of civilian crews must be a priority," she added.
"I have already discussed with them the need for assistance in investigating the attacks in order to establish the origin of the drones, as well as support for strengthening surveillance of our airspace and maritime domain and enhancing our response capabilities," Petrova said of Bulgaria’s EU and NATO partners. "This is another dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. We must support all diplomatic efforts to bring it to an end."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Moscow of "deliberate disregard for civilian lives and maritime security in the Black Sea."
"The Black Sea is a lifeline for global food security. Russia is attacking it to weaponise hunger and hold the world hostage," he wrote, urging partners to increase pressure and sanctions on Russia.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that its forces struck a dry cargo vessel delivering "military and dual-use goods" to Ukraine's port of Mykolaiv in the Bug estuary, as well as targets in Kyiv and the Mykolaiv region.
It made no mention of the attacks near Bulgaria, which Moscow has not commented on, as tensions over Black Sea shipping rise.
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