Bulgaria Summons Russian Ambassador After Drone Strikes Sink Cargo Ship in Black Sea

Two commercial cargo ships were struck by drones in Bulgaria's Black Sea exclusive economic zone during the night of 12-13 October 2026. One vessel sank. Eleven sailors remain missing from the sunken ship. Bulgarian authorities have summoned the Russian ambassador.

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity sank approximately 17 nautical miles east of the village of Krapets, near the Romanian border. Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said five crew members were rescued and 11 are listed as missing. President Iliana Iotova confirmed the vessel's identity and noted that search-and-rescue operations continue.

A second ship, the Maltese-flagged and Ukrainian-owned Chelsea-3, was hit by three aerial drones about 18 nautical miles east of the town of Byala. All 15 crew members, seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis, were evacuated to Varna. Five sustained minor injuries.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev convened an emergency security meeting. He stated there is not yet solid evidence to assign blame to either side of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He added that the logic of the outcome points toward benefit for the Russian Federation. Radev summoned Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova and scheduled a call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Defence officials also contacted counterparts in Romania and Turkey.

The incidents mark the second set of drone attacks on commercial shipping in Bulgarian waters this month. On 6 October the cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a similar strike, with all 10 crew members missing. Another vessel, the Able, was damaged and its crew rescued. The latest attacks occurred closer to shore than the earlier ones.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the strikes as further evidence of Russia's disregard for civilian maritime traffic in the Black Sea. Bulgarian officials have not released detailed technical information on the drones used. The attacks form part of the wider pattern of strikes on shipping that has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Shipping companies operating in the Black Sea have already raised insurance premiums and altered routes in response to earlier incidents. The latest losses will add pressure on commercial traffic that still moves grain, metals, and other cargoes through the region. Bulgaria, a NATO member, has limited naval assets of its own for continuous monitoring of its exclusive economic zone.

Radev's decision to summon the Russian ambassador without a formal accusation keeps diplomatic channels open while signalling that Sofia views the pattern as unacceptable. Further forensic examination of recovered debris, if any is found, may provide clearer attribution. For now the immediate priority remains the search for the missing crew of the HS Dignity.