Bulgaria Summons Russian Ambassador After Drone Strike Sinks Cargo Ship, Leaving 11 Missing

Bulgaria summoned Russia’s ambassador after the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship HS Dignity sank following a drone attack off the Black Sea coast near the village of Krapets, The Moscow Times reports. Five crew members were rescued and 11 remain missing as the search continues. A second vessel, the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3, was struck by three drones overnight; all 15 people aboard were rescued.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev called the attacks “absolutely unacceptable” and said their outcome benefits Russia, though Sofia stopped short of formally blaming Moscow. Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova said Russia’s Defense Ministry had given her no information about the strikes and did not rule out a provocation by a third party.

The sinking comes a week after another ship went down in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone with ten sailors lost. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the Black Sea as another front in Russia’s war on Ukraine, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would adjust its eastern-flank presence as needed. Radev has asked both for help strengthening Bulgaria’s maritime and airspace surveillance.

Read the original story at The Moscow Times.