Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev links the drone attacks in the Black Sea to Romania’s accusations against Russia

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated on Monday, at the Sofia Economic Forum, that Romania had identified Russia as responsible for the drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea. According to Radev, this position was followed by new incidents in the exclusive economic zone of Romania and Bulgaria.

The statements concern a series of attacks and incidents that occurred offshore from the two countries. Between October 5 and 23, eight commercial ships were hit or involved in incidents associated with drone attacks. Bulgarian rescue teams intervened in severe weather conditions, based on the country’s international obligations.

Radev said that he was the only prime minister among the three NATO states bordering the Black Sea who summoned the Russian ambassador and conveyed Bulgaria’s position to him. He emphasized, however, that the accusations must be supported by clear evidence. In Parliament, a few days earlier, the prime minister had stated that “reason” pointed to Russia, but that responsibility could not be demonstrated.

“But I have principles. When I make accusations, before accusing, I must have clear evidence. I cannot do it based on slogans,” the Bulgarian prime minister said, according to hotnews.ro.

In response to the incidents, CSAT decided in Bucharest to accelerate the development of surveillance capabilities and characterized the attacks as direct effects of Russian aggression, extending beyond Ukraine’s borders.