Bulgaria Calls on Russia After Drones Target Ships in Black Sea

WHO:

ABC News - Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that drones struck ships in the Black Sea.

Bloomberg Markets - Bulgaria will summon Russia’s ambassador to Sofia.

WHAT:

ABC News - Drones struck two ships in the Black Sea, sinking one vessel and prompting emergency rescue operations.

ABC News - One crew member from the sunken vessel was rescued, while all 15 crew members from the other ship, the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3, were evacuated, with five receiving treatment for minor injuries.

ABC News - Radev described the attacks as “absolutely unacceptable.”

WHERE:

ABC News - The incidents occurred in the Black Sea off Bulgaria, specifically in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters.

WHY:

ABC News - Radev sought NATO and European Union assistance, indicating Bulgaria lacked clear evidence to identify who was responsible for the drone attacks.

HOW:

ABC News - Emergency rescue operations were initiated following the drone strikes on the ships.

(UPDATED October 13, 2026 07:19 UTC)

Drones struck two ships in the Black Sea, resulting in one vessel sinking and prompting emergency rescue operations, according to Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who called the attacks “absolutely unacceptable.” One crew member from the sunken vessel was rescued, while all 15 crew members from the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3 were evacuated, with five receiving treatment for minor injuries. Radev also announced that Bulgaria will summon Russia’s ambassador to Sofia and is seeking assistance from NATO and the European Union, as the country currently lacks clear evidence to identify those responsible for the drone attacks.