Ship sinks and crew goes missing in drone attack in NATO waters
A commercial ship sank and a second vessel sustained heavy damage in coordinated air and maritime drone attacks off the coast of Bulgaria. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy blamed Russia and warned that a new major attack is looming.
As a result of coordinated drone attacks carried out off the coast of NATO member Bulgaria, a commercial ship sank with its crew going missing, while a second ship suffered heavy damage and caught fire. These developments were evaluated as a violation of international law.
Attack off the Coast of Bulgaria
In the exclusive economic zone of NATO member Bulgaria, a commercial ship sank and its crew went missing as a result of coordinated drone attacks carried out from the air and sea. A second ship located in the same region was also targeted and set on fire.
Ship Identities and Rescue Operations
British maritime risk group Vanguard stated that the sunken ship was a cargo vessel named Alfa Watan, which suffered catastrophic structural damage and sank. The second ship, carrying grain and identified as ABLE, caught fire after being hit, while a Bulgarian ferry crew safely evacuated 18 sailors from the vessel.
International Reactions and Emergency Meeting
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed the attacks, describing them as a clear violation of international law, and convened an emergency government session on the matter. Experts emphasized that the dual-directional precise strikes indicate a dangerous escalation.
Zelenskyy's Warning of a Massive Attack
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held Russia responsible for the attack. Zelenskyy issued warnings, stating that Ukrainian intelligence had obtained information that Russia is preparing for a much more comprehensive and massive new attack.