Bulgaria's president convenes national security council after Black Sea drone attacks

Bulgaria's President called an emergency meeting of the national security council on October 6 following drone attacks on two commercial vessels in the country's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. One ship sank and crew members were reported missing.

Incident context

The drone strikes hit two cargo ships in Bulgarian Black Sea waters. Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed one vessel sank with crew members unaccounted for. The Bulgarian Defense Minister described the incident as potentially part of the hybrid conflict between Ukraine and Russia, though he noted it was not yet clear whether the drones were Ukrainian or Russian.

Ukrainian President Zelensky later stated the attack was carried out by Russia and that Ukrainian naval forces had contacted their Bulgarian counterparts to confirm the Russian origin.

Bulgaria's security response

The convening of the national security council underscored Bulgaria's concern over the attack, which took place in sovereign waters of a NATO member state. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concern, and Ukraine's foreign minister called for eliminating the source of the threat.