Bulgaria summons Russian ambassador after new drone attacks
Two ships were hit off the Bulgarian coast; Sofia says it still has no evidence of where the drones came from.
Follow-up to: Drone strike off Bulgaria sinks cargo ship Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 11:28
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Bulgaria has summoned the Russian ambassador after new drone attacks on two cargo ships in Bulgaria’s economic zone in the Black Sea. One ship sank and everyone aboard a second ship was rescued, Bulgarian authorities and news agency AP report.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev spoke to ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova on Tuesday. According to Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT, Sofia requested an explanation for the attacks, while Radev also announced talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Bulgaria says it cannot yet establish which country deployed the drones.
The attacks took place on Monday night into Tuesday. According to AP, two ships were hit approximately 32 to 34 kilometres from the Bulgarian coast. One ship sank. Five crew members were rescued, according to the Bulgarian authorities, while eleven others were still being sought. The figures had not yet been independently confirmed by an international rescue organisation by midday.
The second ship, the Chelsea 3, was hit by three drones, according to AP. All fifteen people aboard were evacuated; five people received medical assistance for minor injuries. According to the Bulgarian prime minister, the crew consisted of Ukrainians and Azerbaijanis. Reports differ over the precise identity and flag of the sunken ship; this article therefore leaves out those details.
Radev said that Bulgaria has no clear evidence showing who was behind the attacks. He did say, however, that the outcome favours Russia. That is a political assessment, not an established attribution. According to the sources consulted, Russia has not yet issued a substantive response to the new allegations.
The new attacks follow earlier drone strikes on commercial vessels off the Bulgarian coast. Our earlier article described how a cargo ship had sunk in an attack and how the origin of the drones remained unclear. Sofia’s diplomatic step is the new development: Bulgaria is now explicitly seeking contact with Moscow and asking NATO for support with investigation and monitoring.
The events are increasing concerns about shipping safety in the western Black Sea. Bulgaria is a NATO member and lies on a sea route that is important for trade around Ukraine, Russia and the Balkans. As long as the origin of the drones has not been established, it remains unclear whether this was a targeted attack, an incident in the wider war zone or another form of escalation.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Two ships were hit by drones off the Bulgarian coast; one ship sank.
- Bulgaria has summoned the Russian ambassador.
- The origin of the drones has not been established.
- Bulgaria is seeking cooperation with NATO and other parties in the investigation.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that attacks on commercial vessels require international cooperation and the protection of civilians, without presenting an unproven attribution of blame as established fact.
Values International law, protection of civilians, multilateralism and restraint over escalation.
Consequences A rapid but careful international investigation and rescue effort could prevent further attacks; hasty accusations could widen the conflict.
Centre
Arguments Sees diplomatic talks, the independent gathering of evidence and improved maritime surveillance as necessary intermediate steps before allies decide on further measures.
Values Institutional prudence, allied solidarity and proportionate security.
Consequences This could better protect shipping without immediately provoking a military confrontation, but it takes time while the threat continues.
Right
Arguments Emphasises deterrence and the protection of NATO territory and commercial routes. From this perspective, Russia must quickly be made clear that attacks near a NATO country will have consequences.
Values National security, order, military credibility and the protection of property and trade.
Consequences A tougher response could deter future attacks, but it also increases the risk of retaliation and escalation while the perpetrator remains unconfirmed.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The text separates confirmed events from Bulgarian suspicions about Russia. Contradictory details about the sunken ship have deliberately not been presented as fact.
- confirmed Bulgaria has summoned the Russian ambassador after new drone attacks. — The Bulgarian public broadcaster reports the meeting and the announced diplomatic step. source
- confirmed Two ships were hit and one ship sank. — AP bases this on statements by the Bulgarian prime minister. source
- confirmed The origin of the drones has not been established. — According to AP, Radev said that Bulgaria has no clear evidence. source
- confirmed All fifteen people aboard the Chelsea 3 were rescued. — This is stated in the AP report. source
- uncertain The outcome of the attack would benefit Russia. — This is Rumen Radev’s political assessment, not an independently established fact. source
Editor's note
The attacks, the diplomatic step and the rescue operation have been confirmed by Bulgarian authorities and AP. The responsible party has not been established; reports about the identity of the sunken ship contradict one another.Sources
The story so far
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 09:28 Drones hit two ships off Bulgarian coast
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 11:28 Drone strike off Bulgaria sinks cargo ship
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 13:30 Bulgaria summons Russian ambassador after new drone attacks (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „bulgarije zwarte zee”
- de Volkskrant — „bulgarije zwarte zee”
- RTL Nieuws — „bulgarije zwarte zee”