Two merchant vessels came under attack from drones of unknown origin in the Black Sea near Bulgaria on 13 October 2026, with one vessel sinking and prompting an extensive search-and-rescue operation. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed the incident, stating that authorities had rescued five people from the sunken ship, though 11 crew members remained unaccounted for as of the latest update.
The attack occurred approximately 70 nautical miles east of Byala, within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone rather than its territorial waters. One vessel sank following the strike, while the second ship was successfully evacuated with 15 people rescued from aboard. The incident marks the second such attack in a week, following a similar drone assault on 6 October that also resulted in a vessel sinking.
What do we know about the earlier attack?
The previous drone strike, which occurred on 6 October, targeted two merchant ships in the same waters. The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sank during that attack, while the Palau-registered Able was evacuated with 18 people rescued. According to reports from the region, Bulgarian authorities concluded their search operation on 6 October without locating any survivors from the sunken vessel.
How has Bulgaria responded?
Prime Minister Radev characterised the attacks as "absolutely unacceptable" and announced his intention to seek assistance from NATO and the European Union. While acknowledging the absence of "clear and conclusive evidence to attribute responsibility," he stated that "the logic suggests that the outcome benefits the Russian Federation."
Following the earlier October 6 attack, Bulgaria's president convened the country's Security Council to address the escalating threat. The European Union responded by providing satellite-data support to both Bulgaria and Romania as they investigated the incidents, according to official sources.
What is the broader context?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the drone attacks in a statement, saying
"the Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine. This is unacceptable. I strongly condemn the drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria's coast. Putting the lives of the crew in grave danger and threatening security in the Black Sea. We stand with Bulgaria and thank its rescuers for their swift response. Those responsible should be held accountable."
The attacks occur amid escalating tensions in the region. On 6 October, a separate drone attack off Romania's coast sank a ship and killed two people; Ukraine attributed responsibility to Russia, according to international reporting. These incidents underscore the expanding scope of Russia's military operations beyond Ukraine's borders and into the wider Black Sea region.
What are European leaders saying?
The drone attacks coincide with the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland, where senior European foreign ministers are convening to discuss regional security. Britain's Ed Miliband, Germany's Johann Wadephul, and Ukraine's Andrii Sybiha are among those attending the forum. Poland's parliament speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty used his opening address to emphasise that Europe stands at a critical juncture, stating
"for those who have any doubts that the president of the Russian Federation is a murderer and aggressor, and Ukraine is a victim."He further declared that
"there is no free Poland and free Europe, without a free Ukraine."
Coinciding with the forum, Poland issued an emergency alert to residents of a south-eastern region bordering Ukraine, placing them on high alert due to ongoing Russian strikes across the border—a measure that has become routine in recent weeks.
Key facts
- Two merchant ships struck by drones of unknown origin in Bulgaria's Black Sea exclusive economic zone on 13 October 2026; one vessel sank with 11 crew members missing
- A similar attack on 6 October resulted in one ship sinking with no survivors recovered and 18 people rescued from a second vessel
- Bulgarian Prime Minister Radev stated the attacks benefit Russia strategically, though he acknowledged no definitive evidence of attribution
- The European Union provided satellite support to Bulgaria and Romania to investigate the incidents
- The attacks occur amid the Warsaw Security Forum, where European leaders are discussing regional security and Russia's expanding military operations
