Bulgaria to invite Romania and Turkey for ship security talks
Bulgarian officials said the attack sank one ship and injured a crew member as investigators examine drone wreckage and search for the source.
- On Tuesday, drones struck two commercial vessels about 80 miles off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, sinking the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan and igniting the Palau-flagged Able in the first such attack on NATO shipping in the region.
- Following an emergency Security Council meeting, President Iliana Yotova stated that Russia's war in Ukraine has led to "a significant deterioration" of regional security, though authorities investigate the drone origins.
- The Russian Embassy in Sofia rejected involvement, stating "they were not among the targets hit by Russian armed forces," while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of carrying out the strikes.
- These attacks threaten the EU's "Middle Corridor," a strategic trade route connecting Europe and Asia; the EU aims to raise $13.5 billion in investment to diversify routes, though security now endangers these plans.
- NATO leadership will address the incident as officials seek attribution, with U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich noting last week that identifying state sponsors remains a high priority to increase costs on aggressors.
61 Articles
61 Articles
Can Bulgaria be a safe gateway for Asian imports to the EU?
The EU wants more trade via the Middle Corridor, which could bring big benefits for Bulgaria. But Tuesday's drone attacks on commercial ships off the Bulgarian coast are a stark reminder of the security risks involved.
Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova described the drone attack on two commercial vessels in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone as a grave violation of international maritime law and demanded an immediate investigation to identify the perpetrators.
Bulgaria will invite Romania and Turkey to consult on the security of Black Sea commercial ships, after drone attacks on two ships in the Bulgarian exclusive economic zone.
The European Union has a plan to protect the Black Sea. However, a few days after the drones ravaged along the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria, sinking commercial ships and causing the death of two people, questions arise about Brussels' ability to protect one of its most vulnerable maritime regions – ...
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