# When Does Hybrid Attack Become NATO Attack?

> Two ships hit by drones in Black Sea raise NATO's hybrid attack dilemma.
- Title: When Does Hybrid Attack Become NATO Attack? · EUobserver
- Summary: Two ships hit by drones in Black Sea raise NATO's hybrid attack dilemma. Bulgarian ships damaged by drones in Black Sea spark NATO's debate on when drone…
- Keywords: breaking, black sea, bulgaria, nato, russia, drones, hybrid attacks, politics, world, Does, Hybrid, Attack
- Source: EUobserver — https://euobserver.com/242601/listen-when-does-a-hybrid-attack-become-an-attack-on-nato
- Published: 2026-10-14T08:47:08+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: breaking, black sea, bulgaria, nato, russia, drones, hybrid attacks, politics, world
## Two ships hit by drones
Two ships were hit by drones in Bulgarian waters in the Black Sea on Monday.
## One sank, 11 missing
One sank with 11 crew members missing, the second was damaged but all 15 on board were rescued.
## Previous attacks
Two other cargo ships were attacked by drones a week earlier, killing 10 people, and a Turkish grain ship was sunk on October 5.
## No Russian claim
There is no evidence proving Russia was behind these attacks, and Moscow has not claimed responsibility.
## Bulgarian response
Bulgarian Prime Minister Roumen Radev summoned Russia's ambassador, saying the attacks benefited Russia more than anyone else.
## Ambiguity complicates NATO
The uncertainty over who controls the drones makes it hard for NATO to decide when an incident becomes an attack.
## Key takeaway

Bulgarian ships damaged by drones in Black Sea spark NATO's debate on when drone attacks cross into direct attacks.