Drone Strikes Sink Two Cargo Ships in NATO Member’s Black Sea Economic Zone

For the first time, drones have sunk two cargo ships in the exclusive economic zone of a NATO member state, damaged a third vessel and killed at least two sailors. The attacks mark a major escalation as merchant ships in the Black Sea increasingly come under attack during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The incidents come amid accusations that Russia is conducting “hybrid warfare” operations across Europe.

Palauan-Flagged Cargo Ship Sinks Off Bulgaria

The Palauan-flagged cargo ship Alpha Watan burst into flames on October 6 after being attacked by multiple naval and air drones. The vessel sank approximately 80 miles (128 kilometers) off Bulgaria’s coast, within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

According to the Associated Press, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev described the incident as an “unacceptable attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone” and a “blatant violation of international and maritime law.”

The ship’s crew members were not immediately identified after the vessel sank. A Bulgarian ferry evacuated 18 crew members, while two seriously injured sailors were taken to a hospital in Varna.

Second Cargo Ship Sinks After Black Sea Drone Attack

The attack came one day after drones struck the Turkish-owned cargo ship Royad Mammadov. On October 5, the vessel caught fire in Romania’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea and eventually sank.

Romanian ships and helicopters rescued 11 crew members, but one sailor remains missing. Euronews reported that two crew members were killed.

European Leaders Condemn Attacks on Civilian Ships

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “increasingly concerned” about drone attacks on three ships in the Black Sea. In a post on X, she cautioned that the circumstances were “still unfolding” and did not identify the alleged attacker.

“Attacks on civilian vessels are unacceptable,” von der Leyen wrote. “We stand in full solidarity with our eastern member states.”

Ukraine Blames Russia for the Ship Attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a joint investigation with the Bulgarian Navy found that the attack was a “combined Russian attack using both sea and air drones.” Reuters reported that Zelensky also said the Ukrainian military does not conduct operations in that area of the Black Sea.