SOFIA, Bulgaria - Bulgaria expects to join a NATO anti-drone initiative by Oct. 30 after a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told a parliamentary hearing.
Four cargo ships were attacked in the region within one week and two of them sank, according to reports cited by Vesti Baku.
In the latest incident, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Dignity sank after an attack near Bulgaria’s coast on Oct. 13. Five crew members were rescued and 11 remained missing. Search operations were later suspended because of strong winds, poor visibility and heavy seas.
The Malta-flagged Chelsea 3 was hit by three aerial drones, according to its crew. All 15 people aboard - eight Azerbaijani citizens and seven Ukrainian citizens - were evacuated. Five received treatment for minor injuries, The Associated Press reported.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said authorities had no conclusive evidence identifying those responsible. He said the outcome favored Russian interests, while Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova said she had no information from Russia’s Defense Ministry and did not rule out a provocation by a third party.
Ukraine blamed Russia for the attacks. Moscow had not issued a substantive response to the accusation at the time of publication.
Bulgaria has asked NATO and the European Union for assistance and is coordinating with Turkey and Romania on proposals to improve shipping security. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would continue monitoring the region and adjust its defense posture as needed.
Stoyanov said Bulgaria’s participation in the NATO initiative would strengthen its ability to detect and counter drones. The government is also reviewing additional measures to protect ports, coastal infrastructure and maritime traffic.
Additional reporting: Reuters.