Full Breakdown
Drone Strikes on Merchant Vessels Off Bulgaria Prompt NATO Defence Push
By Drooid · · How we work
The Attacks on October 13
On the night of October 13, two merchant ships were struck by unmanned aerial systems in the Black Sea just outside Bulgarian territorial waters. The Maltese-flagged cargo vessel Chelsea 3, registered in Odesa and owned by a Ukrainian company, was hit by three drones about 18 nautical miles east of Byala. All 15 crew members—seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis—were rescued; five received medical assistance and none were seriously injured.
A second vessel, reported by Bulgarian officials as the Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity (also identified in some media as the Azov Concord), sank roughly 17 nautical miles east of Krapets. Five crew members were rescued; eleven remain missing.
Background & Context
The October 13 incidents follow a similar drone strike on October 6 that also hit two cargo ships in the same exclusive economic zone, sinking one vessel and prompting a rescue operation for the other. Bulgaria, a NATO member with a strategic Black Sea coastline, has warned that such attacks threaten commercial shipping and regional stability.
Data & Statistics
- Ships attacked (Oct 13): 2
- Crew rescued from Chelsea 3: 15 (all)
- Crew receiving medical aid: 5
- Crew rescued from sunken vessel: 5
- Crew missing: 11
- Previous attacks (Oct 6): 2 ships, 1 sunk, 10 crew presumed dead
Official Statements & Responses
Prime Minister Rumen Radev called the October 13 strike “absolutely unacceptable” and said “the logic of what is happening suggests that the outcome of these attacks benefits the Russian Federation.” He summoned Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova for an explanation and said Bulgaria would seek NATO and EU assistance to strengthen air and maritime surveillance.
Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told a parliamentary hearing that Bulgaria expects to join a NATO anti-drone initiative by October 30, aiming to enhance detection and neutralisation capabilities in the Black Sea.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte affirmed that the alliance will adjust its deterrence and defence posture as needed, continuing to work closely with Black Sea allies.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Another attack on merchant ships in the immediate vicinity of Bulgaria’s territorial waters is absolutely unacceptable,” — Rumen Radev
- “The logic of what is happening suggests that the outcome of these attacks benefits the Russian Federation,” — Rumen Radev
- “NATO will continue to work closely with our allies in the Black Sea. We have already strengthened our posture along the eastern flank and will continue to monitor the security environment, adjusting our deterrence and defence posture as needed,” — Mark Rutte
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the identity of the sunken vessel. President Iliana Iotova identified it as the HS Dignity, while other Bulgarian media referred to it as the Azov Concord. No definitive attribution of responsibility has been established; Russian officials have denied knowledge, and the Bulgarian government has not ruled out third-party involvement.
Why It Matters
The Black Sea routes are critical for grain exports from Russia and Ukraine, making commercial shipping essential to global food supplies. Repeated drone strikes raise the risk of supply disruptions and could force vessels to reroute, increasing costs and transit times.
What’s Next
Bulgaria plans to join the NATO anti-drone initiative by October 30, seeking alliance support for enhanced maritime and air-space surveillance. The government has also requested EU technical assistance to investigate the drones’ origins and develop response capabilities.
