Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has condemned a drone attack on two commercial ships in the Black Sea that sank one of them, calling it a flagrant violation of maritime law. Speaking at the start of an emergency meeting on Tuesday, Radev described the strike as "absolutely unacceptable" and stressed that it took place within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone.
The attack occurred at around 3 a.m. local time (1 a.m. CET) on Tuesday, approximately 70 nautical miles east of the town of Byala on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. Radev did not attribute responsibility, but the incident adds to a series of escalating tensions in the region, where commercial shipping has repeatedly come under fire.
The strike came just a day after a grain ship was sunk off the coast of Romania, and search-and-rescue efforts are now underway. Helicopters and a military jet have been deployed to scour the waters for the missing crew members, according to Bulgarian authorities.
Maritime law under pressure
Radev's remarks underscore growing concerns about the safety of shipping lanes in the Black Sea, a vital corridor for grain exports from Ukraine and other regional producers. The attack, which involved both sea and aerial drones, marks a dangerous escalation in a conflict that has repeatedly spilled into international waters.
"Such an attack within the Bulgarian exclusive economic zone is absolutely unacceptable," Radev told reporters, adding that it constitutes a "flagrant violation of maritime law." He did not specify which vessels were targeted or their flags, but the incident has raised alarms in Sofia and beyond.
The European Union has been grappling with how to respond to a series of hybrid attacks and maritime incidents in the region. Earlier this year, the bloc weighed tighter curbs on Russian diplomats as hybrid attacks mounted, and discussions have intensified over how to protect critical infrastructure and commercial routes.
Bulgaria, a NATO member and EU state, has walked a delicate line in its response to the war in Ukraine. Radev has previously rejected the "pro-Russian" label and urged the EU to prioritise diplomacy, while also condemning attacks on civilian infrastructure. This latest incident is likely to test that balancing act.
The search for the missing crew continues, with Bulgarian authorities coordinating with international partners. The exact number of crew members aboard the sunken vessel has not been disclosed, but the deployment of military assets suggests the situation is serious.
The Black Sea has become a flashpoint in the broader conflict, with both Ukraine and Russia accusing each other of targeting commercial shipping. The sinking of the grain ship off Romania's coast on Monday and Tuesday's drone attack highlight the persistent dangers faced by merchant vessels in these waters.
For Bulgaria, the attack is a stark reminder of its proximity to the conflict. The country's Black Sea coast is a popular tourist destination, and any disruption to maritime traffic could have economic repercussions. The EU has already boosted drone funding for border security, but protecting commercial shipping in international waters remains a complex challenge.
As the search for survivors continues, Radev's government faces mounting pressure to respond. The prime minister has called for a thorough investigation and has pledged to work with allies to ensure the safety of shipping lanes. Whether this incident will lead to a more robust international response remains to be seen.
