Bulgarian PM summons Russian ambassador after ship sinks in Black Sea drone attack
Two merchant ships were hit by drones off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, and one sank, prompting Prime Minister Rumen Radev to summon Russia’s ambassador. The attacks have heightened concern that the war around Ukraine is spreading towards Bulgaria’s waters, although responsibility has not been established.
The Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity sank 17 nautical miles east of Krapets; six crew were rescued and 10 are missing. All 15 crew of the Ukrainian-owned Chelsea-3 were rescued after it was struck near Byala, with five suffering minor injuries. Both ships were hit in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, outside its territorial waters. Bulgaria’s defence minister said officials assumed the drones were Russian, while Russia’s ambassador said she had no information and suggested a third party could be responsible. The incidents followed earlier attacks on commercial vessels in the zone, including the sinking of the Alfa Watan, whose 10 crew are presumed dead.
- A drone attack sank the HS Dignity off Bulgaria.
- Ten crew are missing; all 15 aboard the Chelsea-3 were rescued.
- Bulgaria has not established who was responsible.
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Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and NATO, and lies across the Black Sea from Ukraine and Russia. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, fighting has repeatedly affected shipping in the Black Sea, an important route for moving goods.
The ships were hit in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, where the country has rights over activities such as fishing but does not have the same control as in its territorial waters. Bulgaria’s government, led by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, and Russia’s ambassador are central to the diplomatic response; who was responsible for the drone attacks has not been established.
The incidents matter because they raise concerns about the safety of commercial shipping near Bulgaria and the risk that the war could affect areas beyond Ukraine. Previous attacks on merchant ships in the zone have also caused deaths and disappearances among crews.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Summoning Russia’s ambassador is a reasonable way for Bulgaria to signal the seriousness of attacks near its coast, seek answers and press for steps to protect shipping and prevent further loss of life. Given the war’s location and officials’ assessment, raising the possibility of Russian responsibility may be necessary even before the evidence is conclusive.
The case against
Because responsibility for these attacks has not been established, singling out Russia risks turning an uncertain incident into a diplomatic accusation and could raise tensions without helping identify who was responsible. A more prudent response would focus on gathering and sharing evidence, protecting vessels and pursuing explanations from all relevant parties before assigning blame.