Eleven sailors are missing after a cargo ship sank following a drone attack off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast on Tuesday, October 13, prompting Bulgarian authorities to summon the Russian ambassador amid growing concerns over maritime security in the region.
The vessel, identified as the HS Dignity, was sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau and was heading toward the Romanian port of Braila. Bulgarian authorities said five crew members were rescued, while a search-and-rescue operation continued for the 11 missing sailors.
Another cargo ship, the Chelsea 3, was also struck by three aerial drones off Bulgaria’s coast. All 15 crew members aboard that vessel were rescued, although several reportedly received treatment for minor injuries.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the attacks and said there was no conclusive evidence identifying those responsible. However, he argued that the outcome appeared to benefit Russia. Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova said she had no information from Moscow about the incidents and suggested that a third party could have been responsible.
The attacks come approximately one week after another drone strike sank a cargo ship in Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone, leaving 10 sailors missing. The repeated incidents have heightened concerns about the safety of commercial shipping routes near NATO and European Union territory.
European and Ukrainian officials condemned the latest attacks, warning that the expanding conflict in the Black Sea threatens civilian lives, international trade and global food supplies. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would continue monitoring the situation and adjust its defensive posture as necessary.
The investigation into the latest attacks is ongoing, and responsibility has not been conclusively established.
