The two commercial vessels attacked by drones in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone have been identified

Two commercial vessels were attacked by drones on Tuesday in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, approximately 70 nautical miles east of Byala. The Alfa Watan cargo ship, flying the Togolese flag, sank, while the Able, flying the flag of Palau, caught fire. Both vessels belong to Turkish shipowners.

The crew of the Able, consisting of 18 people—11 Turkish citizens and seven Indians—was rescued. Two crew members were injured. In the case of the Alfa Watan, the fate of the crew remains unknown, and Bulgarian authorities have not yet determined how many people were on board.

The attack occurred around 03:00, and search and rescue operations are ongoing. The origin of the drones has not been established. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said it was being investigated whether they were Russian or Ukrainian, while a preliminary assessment cited by Reuters indicates possible Russian responsibility.

The incident is considered the first of its kind in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone and marks the expansion of risks to commercial shipping in the western Black Sea. The day before, the Royad Mammadov cargo ship sank in Romania’s exclusive economic zone following a drone attack attributed to Russia by Ukraine.