European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has condemned drone attacks on commercial vessels near Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
“ The Black Sea has become another front in Russia’s escalating war in Ukraine. This is unacceptable. Those responsible must be held accountable,” von der Leyen wrote on X on Tuesday.
Two vessels were struck by drones off the Bulgarian coast, with one sinking and emergency rescue operations launched, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said.
The Ukrainian-owned vessel Chelsea 3, sailing under the Maltese flag, was hit by three aerial drones that struck its deck and hull, according to the report. The attack occurred approximately 18 nautical miles from the Bulgarian coast.
All 15 crew members aboard the Chelsea 3 — seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis — were rescued. Five received medical treatment for minor injuries, Radev confirmed in a social media statement.
One person from the second vessel, which sank, was also rescued, the Bulgarian prime minister said, without providing further details about the remaining people aboard. The attacks reportedly took place approximately 17 and 18 nautical miles off Bulgaria’s coast.
Speaking after an emergency meeting of Bulgaria’s Security Council on Tuesday, Radev described the incidents as “absolutely unacceptable” and said Bulgaria was seeking assistance from NATO and the European Union.
Bulgarian authorities have not established who was responsible for the drone attacks. However, Radev said that, in his assessment, “the logic” suggested the outcome benefited Russia.
The incidents have heightened concerns over maritime security in the Black Sea, where the war in Ukraine continues to pose risks to commercial shipping and regional stability.
