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Bulgarian authorities have confirmed that a merchant vessel sank in the Black Sea following a drone attack, with its crew still unaccounted for, while a second ship carrying grain was also struck within the country's exclusive economic zone. The incidents mark a significant escalation in maritime hostilities that have increasingly threatened commercial shipping in the region.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the attacks occurred at approximately 03:00 local time, roughly 70 miles (112 kilometres) off the coastal town of Byala in eastern Bulgaria. Both aerial and sea-based drones were deployed in the assault, he said, though he stopped short of assigning responsibility for the strikes.
The vessel that sank was sailing under the flag of Togo, according to Radev. When a Bulgarian ship arrived at the scene, rescuers found only an overturned boat, life rafts and floating life jackets. The number of crew members who had been aboard the vessel remains unclear, and the nature of its cargo has not yet been established. A search operation is currently underway in the area.
The second vessel, which was transporting grain, was also hit during the same attack window. Its crew of 18 was rescued by Bulgarian sailors, including two individuals who sustained injuries during a fire that broke out on board. Eleven of the rescued crew members are Turkish nationals, while seven are Indian, Radev confirmed. The injured personnel have been sent for medical treatment.
Radev strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as "a flagrant violation of maritime law." Speaking to reporters, he emphasised that "such an attack within the Bulgarian exclusive economic zone is absolutely unacceptable." His remarks underscore the growing concern among Black Sea littoral states about the spillover of military conflict into civilian maritime domains.
Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea spans just over 29,000 square kilometres (11,197 square miles), representing approximately 6% of the total sea area. This zone grants Bulgaria special rights over marine resources and economic activities, making attacks within its boundaries a particularly sensitive matter of national sovereignty.
The attacks come amid a broader pattern of escalating hostilities in the Black Sea, where Russia has intensified strikes as part of its ongoing war against Ukraine. Moscow has not issued any comment regarding the latest incident. The lack of response follows accusations levied just a day earlier by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who claimed Russia had struck a civilian vessel transporting corn.
The timing of these attacks appears connected to recent statements from both sides of the conflict. On Sunday, Russia's defence ministry declared it would intensify strikes across Ukraine in direct response to comments made by Zelensky the previous week. The Ukrainian president had indicated that Kyiv would ramp up its attacks on Russian oil refineries, signalling a mutual escalation that now appears to be affecting civilian maritime traffic.
The Black Sea has become an increasingly dangerous corridor for commercial shipping since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. What was once a vital trade route for grain, commodities and energy exports has transformed into a contested zone where drones, missiles and naval assets pose persistent threats to civilian vessels and their crews.
A separate attack on Tuesday near Odesa resulted in one crew member being killed and seven others injured. According to Ukrainian media reports, that vessel was flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. The accumulation of such incidents highlights the vulnerability of merchant shipping in waters that were previously considered relatively safe for international commerce.
Maritime law experts note that attacks on civilian vessels in international waters or within another nation's exclusive economic zone potentially constitute violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Such actions can be classified as war crimes if they deliberately target non-combatant vessels engaged in legitimate trade.
The involvement of drones in these attacks reflects a broader evolution in modern warfare, where unmanned systems are increasingly deployed for maritime operations. The use of both aerial and sea drones demonstrates the expanding capabilities and reach of such technologies, which can strike targets far from traditional battle lines.
The international community has yet to issue a coordinated response to the latest incidents. The rescued sailors from Turkey and India highlight the multinational character of crews that operate in the Black Sea, meaning that any escalation directly affects citizens of multiple countries and raises the stakes for diplomatic intervention.
Bulgaria, as a NATO member state, faces particular pressure to respond to attacks within its economic zone. The country has thus far balanced its support for Ukraine with concerns about regional stability and the safety of its own maritime interests. The latest strikes may force Sofia to reconsider its posture and push for stronger collective security measures in the Black Sea region.
The search for the missing crew members continues, with Bulgarian authorities coordinating efforts to locate any survivors or recover remains. The uncertainty surrounding the sunken vessel's crew complement adds urgency to the operation, as families await news of their loved ones.
These developments underscore the fragile security situation in the Black Sea and the risks faced by civilian mariners who navigate these waters. As military operations intensify and expand geographically, the distinction between combat zones and civilian maritime corridors continues to erode, with potentially devastating consequences for international shipping and the safety of those who work at sea.
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