Drone attack targets two merchant ships off Bulgaria's coast, with Ukrainians among casualties

Two civilian cargo ships were attacked near Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. The Maltese-flagged CHELSEA 3 was struck by three drones and damaged. The Azov Concord was hit by a drone and sank. The incident matters because it endangered civilian crews close to Bulgaria and disrupted maritime security.

CHELSEA 3 sent a distress signal at 1:30 a.m. Its crew reported impacts on the deck and side. Bulgarian rescuers evacuated all 15 people: seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis. Five sailors received treatment for minor injuries. One crew member was rescued from Azov Concord, but the number and fate of others remain unknown.

Ukraine described the incident as Russia’s latest attack, while Bulgaria said the evidence did not identify a specific country. Bulgaria plans to seek international help investigating the drones. It also wants to discuss the attacks with Russia’s ambassador and NATO’s secretary general.

A merchant ship is a civilian vessel used for commercial activity, such as carrying goods. It differs from a warship or government vessel. Protecting merchant ships matters because they move trade and can carry crews from several countries. The article identifies CHELSEA 3 as a cargo ship owned by a Ukrainian company.

The same ship was registered in Odesa but sailed under the Maltese flag. This is possible because ownership, home registration, and flag registration are separate legal arrangements. The flag state generally gives the vessel its nationality for maritime purposes and applies relevant safety, labor, and regulatory rules. Companies may choose a flag for practical or business reasons.

In this case, the arrangement made the incident international. Ukraine was linked through ownership, Malta through the flag, and Bulgaria through the nearby rescue operation. The crew also included Ukrainian and Azerbaijani citizens, showing how one commercial vessel can connect several countries.

The reported human and material toll involved two merchant ships, at least four drones, and an uncertain number of crew members. Three drones hit CHELSEA 3. Another drone struck Azov Concord, which sank. The article does not establish the full crew of the second vessel, so the total number of people affected cannot be confirmed.

CHELSEA 3 carried 15 people, including seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis. Bulgarian border police evacuated everyone aboard. Five sailors later received medical treatment for minor injuries. Separately, one crew member was rescued from Azov Concord. That makes 16 reported rescues or evacuations, but it does not prove that all people on the second ship were accounted for.

The incident therefore combines clear figures with serious uncertainty. The first ship survived but was damaged on its deck and side. The second sank. Bulgaria said it would seek international assistance to identify the drones and determine what happened to any missing crew members.

The reported locations were about 18 nautical miles east of Byala and 17 nautical miles east of Krapets. Under the widely used law-of-the-sea framework, a country’s territorial sea normally extends up to 12 nautical miles from its baseline. These attacks were therefore reported beyond Bulgaria’s usual territorial-sea limit, although still close to its coast.

That legal distinction matters because coastal states have stronger authority in territorial waters, while areas farther offshore can involve different maritime zones and jurisdictional rules. The exact legal consequences depend on the relevant boundaries, vessel status, evidence, and applicable international law. Distance alone does not identify who carried out an attack.

The proximity still creates a security concern for Bulgaria. Its rescue services responded, and its government called the attacks unacceptable. Bulgaria also said it would seek international assistance to investigate the incidents and determine the drones’ origin, while informing NATO and the European Union.

Bulgaria is involved because the ships were attacked close to its coast, its rescue services evacuated CHELSEA 3’s crew, and its government wants the attacks investigated. Ukraine is involved because CHELSEA 3 belonged to a Ukrainian company and Ukrainian citizens were among the crew and injured sailors. Ukraine also accused Russia of the latest attack.

Russia is central to the political dispute because Bulgarian Prime Minister Radev said the evidence was insufficient to assign blame, but that the outcome appeared to benefit Russia. He planned talks with Russia’s ambassador. NATO matters because the attacks affect security near a NATO member’s waters, and Radev planned discussions with its secretary general.

The European Union is involved through Bulgaria’s membership and the wider impact on trade and navigation. Bulgaria informed its EU and NATO representatives and called for a new EU mechanism for safe Black Sea navigation. These actors can coordinate investigations, diplomatic pressure, sanctions, and maritime protection.

Civilian vessel attacks can affect more than the crews directly involved. Ship operators may avoid dangerous routes, delay voyages, or demand stronger protection. Insurers can respond to greater risk by raising premiums or limiting coverage. Those changes increase transport costs and can make trade through the Black Sea less predictable.

The article gives a concrete warning through Ukraine’s foreign minister. Andrii Sybiha called the Black Sea a lifeline for global food security and accused Russia of trying to weaponize hunger. When commercial ships are damaged or sunk, cargo movement can slow, ports and routes can face extra security measures, and companies may struggle to plan deliveries.

The longer-term effects depend on the frequency of attacks and the response. Bulgaria is calling for a new EU mechanism to ensure safe navigation. Ukraine urged stronger pressure and sanctions. International investigation, accountability, and protection for civilian shipping could help restore confidence, but the article does not quantify wider economic losses.

Freedom of navigation means that ships can lawfully move through maritime routes without unlawful attacks, blockades, or other interference. It is a basic condition for international commerce. Merchant ships connect producers, ports, and buyers, so disruption in one region can affect trade well beyond that coastline.

The attacks show why the principle matters in practice. CHELSEA 3 was struck near Bulgaria and its crew had to be evacuated. Azov Concord sank after a drone strike, while the fate of other possible crew members remained unclear. These incidents can make crews and companies question whether ordinary commercial routes are safe.

The article connects navigation directly to food supplies. Ukraine’s foreign minister called the Black Sea a lifeline for global food security and urged decisive protection for freedom of navigation. Bulgaria is seeking a new EU mechanism for safe passage. Protecting that freedom requires investigation, accountability, and coordinated international action.