Two commercial vessels were struck by drones in the Black Sea near the Bulgarian coast on October 13, 2026, leaving one ship submerged and 13 crew members missing, according to reports from Bulgarian authorities.
Drone Strikes on Chelsea-3 and HS Dignity
The cargo ship Chelsea-3, sailing under a Maltese flag, was targeted by three drones approximately 18 nautical miles off the coast of Byala, as reported by bTV. While the vessel was not sunk, it was left drifting without a crew. According to the regional governor of Varna, Mario Smerkov, the ship was empty at the time of the attack and there were no reports of fuel leaks or environmental contamination.
A second vessel, identified as HS Dignity, was struck by drones approximately 17 nautical miles off the coast of Krapets. This ship subsequently sank.
Search and Rescue Operations
Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Lyubomir Nikolov, stated that border patrol vessels managed to evacuate all 15 crew members from Chelsea-3. The crew, consisting of Ukrainian and Azerbaijani nationals, was transported to the port of Varna.
None of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
Official Response and Security Council Meeting
Prime Minister Rumen Radev convened an emergency meeting of the Security Council following the attacks. Radev described the strikes on commercial shipping in close proximity to Bulgarian territorial waters as "absolutely unacceptable." The Bulgarian government has notified its permanent representatives to NATO and the European Union, with the Prime Minister planning discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha condemned the attacks, accusing Russia of intentionally endangering civilian lives and maritime security. While Bulgarian political parties in parliament reached a consensus that the drone attacks were conducted by Russian forces, the Russian ambassador to Bulgaria suggested the possibility that the incidents could be a provocation by a third party.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the missing crew members? A search operation is currently being conducted in the area where the vessel sank off the coast of Krapets.
Were there any environmental impacts from the damaged ships?
According to the Varna regional governor, there are no reports of fuel leaks or cargo spills. The Chelsea-3 was empty at the time of the attack, and the HS Dignity is currently at the bottom of the sea, with authorities monitoring the situation.
What are the nationalities of the rescued crew? The 15-member crew of the Chelsea-3 included citizens of Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
The events follow a broader pattern of conflict in the Black Sea, where the Russian Ministry of Defense reported separate strikes on Ukrainian logistics centers and drone depots in the Mykolaiv region on the same day.
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