Drones sink ships near NATO

Drones sank two cargo ships and damaged a third in NATO member countries' exclusive economic zones for the first time.

At least two sailors killed

The attacks killed at least two sailors, with the Alfa Watan sinking and the Able set ablaze.

Bulgarian prime minister calls it unacceptable

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev described the incidents as 'an unacceptable attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone' and 'a blatant violation of international law and maritime law.'

“an unacceptable attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone”

Two crew members evacuated

A Bulgarian ferry evacuated 18 crew members of the Able, with two severely injured mariners flown to Varna hospital.

Previous attack on Romanian ship

Drones struck the Turkish-owned Royad Mammadov in Romania’s exclusive economic zone on October 5, causing it to sink with 11 crew rescued and one missing.

EU president calls strikes 'concerning'

EU president Ursula von der Leyen described the drone strikes as 'increasingly concerning' but cautioned circumstances are 'still being established' without naming a probable attacker.

“increasingly concerning”

Ukrainian president blames Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the strikes were a 'Russian combined attack using both sea and aerial drones' with Ukraine’s military not conducting operations in the Black Sea.

“Russian combined attack using both sea and aerial drones”

Zelenskyy calls for food security

Zelenskyy warned that Russia chooses 'terror and sinking civilian vessels' instead of normal maritime navigation, stressing pressure is needed to restore global food security.

“terror and sinking civilian vessels”