The Black Sea has become a volatile front in the ongoing war as Russian-linked drone attacks continue to target commercial shipping.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed that a merchant ship went down 17 nautical miles east of Krapets, with only one crew member rescued, while a second Ukrainian-owned vessel was struck by three drones near Byala, forcing a rescue of all 15 crew members.
These attacks follow a string of recent strikes in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, including the sinking of the Alfa Watan, which left 10 crew members presumed dead.
While the Russian ambassador, Eleonora Mitrofanova, predictably denied having information from Moscow's defense ministry and attempted to deflect blame onto 'third parties,' Prime Minister Radev noted that the logic of these attacks clearly benefits the Russian Federation.
As a NATO member, Bulgaria is now seeking technical assistance and coordinating with alliance leadership to address this blatant disregard for maritime security. Ukrainian officials have rightly condemned the strikes as a cynical attempt by Moscow to weaponize hunger and hold global food security hostage.
Despite Moscow’s attempts to justify its aggression by claiming it targets military-linked cargo, the reality remains that civilian vessels are being hunted in international waters. The international community must recognize this for what it is: a calculated campaign of intimidation that demands a firm, unified response.
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