Bulgaria to Summon Russian Ambassador After Attacks on Black Sea Ships

Two commercial shipping incidents occurred overnight off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. The Malta-flagged Chelsea 3, owned by a Ukrainian company, was attacked by three drones. A second vessel was reportedly struck and sunk. The incidents matter because they brought danger close to civilian shipping routes and Bulgarian waters.

The Chelsea 3 attack happened about 1:30 a.m., roughly 18 nautical miles from Bulgaria near Byala. Its crew reported the drone attack, but all members survived and were rescued. About 17 nautical miles from Krapets, preliminary information indicated that another vessel had been hit and sunk.

Bulgaria plans to summon Russia’s ambassador, yet Prime Minister Rumen Radev said there was not enough evidence to identify the attacker. Ukraine blamed Russia and urged stronger sanctions. The incidents could increase pressure to protect commercial vessels and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.

A country’s territorial waters are the coastal sea area where it exercises sovereignty, subject to international maritime law. The widely used limit is up to 12 nautical miles from the coast. Within that zone, the coastal state has strong authority over security and law enforcement, while foreign ships generally retain rights such as innocent passage.

The reported attacks occurred about 17 to 18 nautical miles from Bulgaria, according to the article. That places them outside the usual 12-nautical-mile territorial limit, though still close to Bulgaria’s coast. The article describes the incidents as occurring near Bulgarian territorial waters, not definitively inside them.

The proximity still matters. A nearby attack can endanger Bulgarian communities, rescue services, and shipping routes. It can also create diplomatic pressure, which helps explain why Bulgaria plans to summon Russia’s ambassador despite lacking clear proof of responsibility.

The Chelsea 3 was attacked roughly 18 nautical miles, or 20 ordinary miles, from Bulgaria near Byala. The second incident occurred about 17 nautical miles, or 19 ordinary miles, from Krapets. These distances show that both events happened offshore but close enough to Bulgaria’s coastline to trigger concern.

A nautical mile is a sea-distance unit based on Earth’s geography. One nautical mile equals about 1.15 statute, or ordinary, miles. Therefore, 18 nautical miles equals about 20.7 ordinary miles, while 17 nautical miles equals about 19.6 ordinary miles. The article rounds them to 20 and 19 miles.

The locations matter because commercial ships were operating near Bulgarian waters, and one vessel reportedly sank. The closeness also meant Bulgarian authorities faced immediate demands for rescue, investigation, and diplomatic action, even though they said the available evidence could not identify a responsible party.

Summoning an ambassador is a formal diplomatic step used to demand explanations, express concern, or signal that an incident is serious. It does not necessarily mean the receiving country has been officially found responsible. Bulgaria can therefore summon Russia’s ambassador while preserving its stated position that the evidence is incomplete.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Bulgaria lacked “solid, clear evidence” to accuse any specific party. He nevertheless suggested Russia could benefit from the incidents. Ukraine directly blamed Russia, while Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for more sanctions and action to protect shipping.

This creates a careful balance. Bulgaria must respond to threats near its coast and protect commercial traffic, but it also needs a credible investigation before assigning blame. The ambassador’s summons can seek information and convey Bulgaria’s alarm. Further evidence could determine whether the response becomes stronger or remains diplomatic.

Repeated attacks can make commercial shipping less predictable and more dangerous. Ship operators may avoid affected routes, delay voyages, or demand extra security. Insurers could respond by raising premiums or limiting coverage for vessels entering the area. These effects can increase transport costs even when ships are not attacked.

The article gives a direct warning about food. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the Black Sea a “vital artery of global food security” and accused Russia of trying to weaponize hunger. If ships carrying food face delays, rerouting, or losses, supplies could arrive later and at higher prices. The article does not quantify those effects.

The immediate reality is uncertainty. A vessel was reportedly sunk, while another was attacked and its crew rescued. Continued incidents could pressure governments to strengthen escorts, monitoring, and sanctions. They could also make companies reconsider whether Black Sea voyages are commercially viable.

Countries can protect commercial vessels through better monitoring, shared alerts, naval patrols, and clearly communicated safe routes. They can also prepare search-and-rescue teams, emergency communications, and inspections for damaged ships. These measures help detect threats sooner and reduce harm if an attack occurs.

The key mechanism is layered protection. Surveillance can identify drones or suspicious activity, while escorts or patrols may deter attacks and respond quickly. Governments can share information with ship operators and coordinate investigations. Diplomatic pressure and sanctions can raise the costs of attacking civilian shipping, matching Ukraine’s call for additional measures.

The article specifically calls for action to protect freedom of navigation and safeguard commercial shipping. It does not list a detailed protection plan. In practice, countries would need to balance stronger security with the risk of escalation, while maintaining access for civilian vessels and preserving credible evidence about responsibility.

The Black Sea is strategically important because it carries commercial shipping and connects a regional conflict to wider food security. For Ukraine, attacks threaten vessels owned by Ukrainian companies and the movement of goods. For Bulgaria, nearby incidents threaten coastal security and place pressure on its authorities to respond.

Russia matters because Ukraine and Bulgaria say Moscow may be responsible or could benefit from the attacks. Russia’s alleged role remains unproven in the article. The reported attack on Chelsea 3 and the possible sinking of another ship show how maritime violence can affect civilian trade, not only military targets.

Global food markets matter because Sybiha called the Black Sea a vital artery of global food security. He accused Russia of trying to weaponize hunger and hold the world hostage. If attacks continue, governments may face stronger demands for sanctions and measures protecting navigation, while commercial operators confront greater risk.