TBNPortugal
Bulgaria says two commercial ships were hit by drones.
Publication: ECO
Author: Lusa
Source published: 06/10/2026, 10:01:59 UTC
Briefing created: 19/10/2026, 17:31:54 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 06/10/2026, 10:11:24 UTC.
Briefings
Bulgaria's Rumen Radev confirmed two commercial ships were struck by drones near the Black Sea coast, with the Togo-flag Alfa Watan sinking and the Palau-flag Able burning. All 18 crew members were rescued by a Bulgarian ferry, two suffered severe injuries, and the drone origin remains unidentified. This marks the first such attack on a NATO member in the Black Sea, occurring one day after a Turkish-flag ship was sunk by Russia, which Zelensky attributed to Moscow's systematic targeting of civilian vessels.
Key points
- Two commercial ships (Alfa Watan and Able) were struck by drones near Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, resulting in the sinking of the Togo-flag Alfa Watan and the burning of the Palau-flag Able.
- All 18 crew members were rescued by a Bulgarian ferry, with two suffering severe injuries and being airlifted to Varna Hospital.
Context
This incident occurred in the Black Sea, one day after a Turkish-flag ship was sunk by Russia, which Zelensky attributed to Moscow's systematic targeting of civilian vessels. The attack involved two drones striking ships near the Bulgarian coast, marking the first such incident on a NATO member in the Black Sea.
Limitations
The drone origin remains unidentified. The specific cause of the damage to the Able ship is not fully detailed, and the full extent of injuries among the 18 crew members beyond the two confirmed with severe injuries is not specified.
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