The Oct. 6 attacks on ships operating outside territorial waters highlight a sharp expansion of regional maritime risks tied to the war in Ukraine, according to official statements and security briefings reported across national media.
Defense Officials Await Transport Ministry Action on Submerged Wreck Inspection
Bulgarian Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov announced that his ministry is not currently planning new military operations by the Navy or Air Force regarding the struck merchant ships. Speaking at the international conference “Black Sea and Eastern Europe: Key to European Security” in Sofia, Stoyanov stated that authorities are waiting for the Ministry of Transport to coordinate with external organizations capable of providing an underwater drone to survey the sunken vessel, as reported by BNT News. Stoyanov also clarified that the Ministry of Defense has not opened direct communications with Romania and Turkey to coordinate air patrols in international waters, noting that such diplomatic outreach falls outside military jurisdiction and remains the proper domain of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He indicated that the Ministry of Defense is participating in the international conference The Black Sea and Eastern Europe: Key to Europe’s Security
in Sofia. Furthermore, Stoyanov noted that the Ministry of Transport and Communications has not yet established contact with organizations capable of providing a water drone to inspect the ship that sank a week prior. Stoyanov added that the Ministry of Defense has not engaged with Romania and Turkey and stated We are responsible for the territorial sea. In the economic zone, these are international waters. Perhaps contact should be maintained through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but the Ministry of Defense has not entered and there is no point in us entering into contact.
.
Ministers Weigh European Diplomatic Action Against Maritime Strikes
Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Петрова-Чамова, attending a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Люксембург, stressed that Sofia will push for concerted European measures to guarantee Black Sea shipping security and halt attacks on commercial traffic, according to Investor.bg. Петрова-Чамова emphasized that the recent incidents demonstrate a dangerous spillover of the conflict, making a formal moratorium on attacks against commercial vessels a primary regional objective. Meanwhile, security analysts speaking to domestic media pointed out the systemic challenges of protecting trade corridors that link Ukrainian ports through the Bosporus to international markets. Петрова emphasized The latest incidents in the region show a dangerous extension of the consequences of the war. One of our main goals must be to reach an agreement to end attacks on merchant shipping. We must work to introduce a moratorium on attacks on merchant ships. This concerns not only Bulgaria, but all countries in the region and will be a major focus of our talks.
and We see that shipping lanes may not be as safe as we would like. Therefore, we need to find a common solution to stop attacks on all merchant ships.
.
Experts Debate Attribution and NATO Radar Surveillance Gaps
Security experts have divergent views on the evidence surrounding the strikes. Ruslan Trad, a global security collaborator at the Atlantic Council, asserted that Bulgarian intelligence agencies possess definitive data pointing to Russian responsibility for the drone attacks, designed to restrict Ukrainian agricultural exports, bTV News reported. Conversely, former defense minister Valentin Radev told BNT News that intense fire damage likely obliterated any physical drone fragments, complicating immediate forensic attribution. Radev also noted that the government did not invoke Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty because national territorial integrity was unbreached, though he argued that Sofia should have formally summoned the Russian ambassador to demand explanations. Ruslan Trad noted that information fails to reach Bulgarian diplomats through standard channels, which he stated means This means there is no trust in Sofia.
. Trad asserted that Attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea are part of Moscow’s strategy to limit Ukrainian exports
and warned The war is not just here, it is being felt closer and closer, it is affecting our shores and this will intensify, because the Black Sea has long been a front line.
. Trad stated that Bulgarian services hold definitive data on Russian responsibility and mentioned Apart from reports from our services, including SANS, which are categorical on this issue
as well as And that is, Russia carried out the attack.
. Trad explained the execution pattern by noting First of all, the method of execution, which coincides with the method of conducting attacks by the Russian Federation, especially in this sector of the Black Sea.
and outlined the trade route by stating This is, of course, one part of the story. Ukraine needs these proceeds.
.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Black Sea Drone Strikes
Which vessels were impacted in the exclusive economic zone?
Two commercial ships were targeted on Oct. 6 in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone by marine and aerial drones, with one vessel subsequently sinking, as detailed by Investor.bg.
Has NATO responded to Bulgarian requests for radar surveillance?
Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov stated that after an initial request following a drone crash near Kardam, NATO has not yet provided answers regarding enhanced radar monitoring, prompting Sofia to submit a renewed request, as reported by BNT News.
Are military forces conducting recovery operations at the wreck site?
Neither the Bulgarian Navy nor the Air Force is conducting active operations at the site, with officials awaiting specialized underwater drone equipment from civilian transport authorities to survey the sunken hull.
As trade corridors face mounting disruption, more than 460 vessels have encountered security incidents across the Black Sea since the conflict began.
Related reading