Drone strike sinks Togo-flagged ship in Bulgarian Black Sea waters
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A Togo-flagged cargo ship sank after air and sea drones attacked two civilian vessels in Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone. Its crew are missing and a search operation is under way; the incident adds to concerns about the spread of attacks on commercial shipping amid Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The sunken vessel, the Turkish-owned Alfa Watan, was about 70 miles off Bulgaria’s coast, but its cargo and the number of people aboard are unknown. The second ship, the Palau-flagged grain carrier Able, had 18 crew members, all rescued by Bulgarian sailors; two were injured in a fire. Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the strikes but did not identify who was responsible, while the EU Commission president called attacks on civilian shipping unacceptable.
- A Togo-flagged cargo ship sank after drone attacks in Bulgaria’s Black Sea zone.
- Its crew are missing as a search operation continues.
- All 18 crew on a grain ship were rescued; two were injured.
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Russia has been conducting a campaign of attacking merchant ships in the Black Sea as part of its invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022. The Black Sea is a crucial shipping route through which grain, oil and other goods pass to reach Europe and beyond. Ships using these waters have become targets as Russia seeks to disrupt Ukraine's economy and international trade.
Ukraine has threatened to strike Russian oil refineries in retaliation, which prompted Russia to intensify its attacks on commercial vessels. These strikes have killed crew members and endangered shipping from many countries caught in the crossfire. The attacks have prompted complaints from maritime nations about violations of international law and safety at sea.
Bulgaria, whose exclusive economic zone was the location of this incident, has condemned the strikes as illegal under maritime law. The broader conflict between Russia and Ukraine has turned the Black Sea into one of the world's most dangerous shipping zones, affecting global food security as the region supplies significant quantities of grain to international markets.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The strikes represent a military response targeting supply routes that sustain Ukrainian military operations and weapons supplies. Supporters argue that disrupting maritime logistics serving Ukraine's military is a legitimate strategic objective in asymmetric warfare, and that targeting infrastructure supporting the opposing military's capacity is standard practice in conflict. From this perspective, the attacks constitute necessary countermeasures against an opponent with superior conventional capabilities and sustained Western military support.
The case against
International maritime law and humanitarian law protect civilian merchant vessels from deliberate attack, regardless of broader military concerns. The principle of distinction—that civilians must be spared—prohibits targeting commercial shipping engaged in ordinary commerce. Moreover, attacking vessels in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone violates another nation's sovereignty, whilst innocent civilian crews face unjustified risk. These attacks undermine the international legal framework that has governed maritime commerce and humanitarian protection.
Full account
A civilian merchant vessel has sunk in the Black Sea following an attack by unmanned aircraft, with the crew subsequently reported missing. A second commercial ship carrying grain was damaged in the same incident but its crew of 18 was successfully rescued. The attacks occurred within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, prompting concern among international observers and officials regarding maritime security in contested waters.
According to Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, the strikes involved both aerial and sea-based drone systems and took place in the early hours of Tuesday, approximately 70 nautical miles from Byala on Bulgaria's eastern shoreline. A rescue vessel from Bulgaria arrived at the scene to discover overturned lifeboats and flotation equipment but located no surviving crew members, initiating a formal search operation. The incident location falls within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, an area spanning just over 29,000 square kilometres.
The sunken vessel, the Alfa Watan, was a general cargo ship registered under the Togolese flag and owned by Turkish interests. It was proceeding towards Sulina in Romania at the time of the strike; the composition of its cargo and the number of personnel aboard remain unconfirmed. The second struck ship, the Able, operates under a Palauan flag and was engaged in grain transport. All 18 crew members—11 Turkish nationals and seven from India—were evacuated following the strike, though two sustained injuries during a fire that broke out aboard and required hospitalisation in Varna.
Bulgarian authorities characterised the attacks as grave violations of international maritime law, with Radev describing them as absolutely unacceptable. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen similarly condemned the targeting of civilian vessels, stating that such actions represent unacceptable threats to shipping safety. Whilst official responsibility remained unattributed by Bulgarian officials, maritime security analysts suggested the strikes bore characteristics consistent with Russian military operations. The incidents occurred within a context of intensifying military activity in the Black Sea connected to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 provides detail on von der Leyen's statement and mentions a separate earlier attack near Odesa; Source 2 does not
Source 2 emphasises these were reportedly the first such attacks in Bulgarian waters according to shipping sources, and specifies distance from Ukrainian coast as 140 nautical miles; Source 1 omits both details
Source 2 emphasises Bulgaria's NATO membership and strategic Black Sea position more prominently; Source 1 focuses more on institutional responses
Source 2 includes a maritime security source assessing it was probably Russian; Source 1 is more cautious about attribution
Source 1 mentions Russia's stated intention to intensify strikes; Source 2 does not include this detail
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Originally published by BBC World as “Sailors missing after fresh attacks on Black Sea vessels, Bulgaria says”.