In a notable escalation of hostilities, drones sank two cargo vessels and damaged a third within the exclusive economic zones of NATO member states, resulting in at least two sailor fatalities. The incident highlights the growing vulnerability of Black Sea commercial shipping as Russian operations against Ukrainian infrastructure persist, alongside broader allegations of hybrid warfare across Europe.
According to Associated Press reports, the Togo-flagged vessel Alfa Watan went down, while the Palau-flagged Able was engulfed in flames after being struck by multiple sea and aerial drones on October 6. The attacks occurred approximately 80 miles (128 kilometers) off the Bulgarian coast.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev strongly denounced the event, calling it an unacceptable attack within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone and a clear violation of international and maritime law. While the fate of the Alfa Watan crew remains unknown, a Bulgarian ferry successfully rescued all 18 crew members from the Able. Two of those rescued suffered severe injuries and were transported to a hospital in Varna.
Cargo ships as targets is reckless. This escalates everything and threatens global supply chains further.
Bulgaria calling it ‘unacceptable’ feels like diplomatic boilerplate. Where is the concrete response from NATO here?
Hybrid warfare in NATO EEZs? That’s a dangerous new threshold. When do we see similar strikes elsewhere?
The mention of crew fatalities makes this so much worse. Two sailors dead changes everything, doesn’t it?