World · Europe · 10 hrs ago
Three sea drones strike container ship off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast
Three maritime drones struck the container ship Contship Jet off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast on Wednesday.
The Liberian-flagged vessel was about 21 nautical miles southeast of Shabla, and its crew evacuated; no casualties were immediately reported.
The attacker has not been identified, and Russia has denied involvement in other recent attacks on merchant ships in the area.
The strike is part of a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels in the waters off Bulgaria and Romania, both NATO members.
The attacks threaten Black Sea shipping routes and have raised concern about the war in Ukraine spreading further across the region.
Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey were holding talks in Sofia on Black Sea security when the ship was hit; Bulgaria has sought allied help to strengthen maritime security.
Three maritime drones struck the Liberian-flagged container ship Contship Jet off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast on Wednesday, October 28.
The crew evacuated, and there were no immediate reports of casualties.
The ship was about 21 nautical miles southeast of Shabla, Bulgaria, when it was hit.
It was sailing in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, and its route was from Haifa, Israel, to Constanța, Romania.
It was not clear who carried out the attack; Ukraine has blamed Russia for attacks on merchant ships, while Moscow denies involvement.
- Who
- The Contship Jet, a Greek-owned container ship sailing under the Liberian flag, was struck. The crew evacuated.
- What
- Three maritime drones hit the ship.
- When
- Wednesday, October 28, a little before 1 p.m. local time.
- Where
- About 21 nautical miles southeast of Shabla, off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.
- Why
- Not stated. It was not clear who carried out the attack.
Ukraine and Bulgaria
Russia
Attribution
Ukraine and Bulgaria
Ukraine has blamed attacks on merchant ships on Russia, and Bulgaria’s prime minister has said the attacks appear to benefit Russia.
Russia
Russia has denied involvement in the attacks.
Evidence
Ukraine and Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s prime minister said the apparent direction of the attacks could not be proved.
Russia
Russia has not taken responsibility for the attacks.
Two commercial ships were attacked in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said NATO had strengthened its posture along the eastern flank, including by increasing counter-drone capabilities.
The Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity sank, and the Malta-flagged Chelsea 3 was damaged in separate attacks off Bulgaria.
A foreign-flagged cargo ship capsized and sank about 13 nautical miles off Romania’s port city of Constanța after a suspected drone strike.
Three maritime drones struck the Contship Jet off Bulgaria’s coast, and its crew evacuated.
- Vessel
- Contship Jet
- Flag
- Liberia
- Attack
- Three maritime drones
- Location
- About 21 nautical miles southeast of Shabla
- Route
- Haifa, Israel, to Constanța, Romania
- Crew
- Evacuated; no immediate reports of casualties
3 sources
What people are saying
A container ship was hit...with 3 naval drones, approximately 21 miles southeast of Shabla
the logic points in that direction … The problem is that we cannot prove it.
strengthened our posture along the eastern flank including with increasing counter-drone capabilities