A ship from Odesa was attacked off the coast of Bulgaria: Radev said it benefited Russia

Two ships were struck in the Black Sea near the Bulgarian coast. The crew of one of them, the Maltese-flagged bulk carrier Chelsea 3, was rescued—there were 15 citizens of Ukraine and Azerbaijan on board. The other vessel sank, but one crew member was rescued.

This was announced by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev.

According to him, a distress signal from the Chelsea 3 was received at 1:30 a.m. The ship was located 18 nautical miles east of the city of Byala. According to the crew, the vessel was attacked by three drones, which struck the deck and the hull.

Bulgarian rescuers evacuated all 15 crew members: seven Ukrainian citizens and eight Azerbaijani citizens. The vessel, registered in Odesa and owned by Ukraine, was towed to the port of Varna. Five crew members received medical treatment for minor injuries.

During an emergency meeting of the Security Council under the Bulgarian Council of Ministers, information was also received about another vessel that had been struck 17 nautical miles east of Cape Krapets. It sank, and only one crew member was rescued.

Radev called the attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria’s territorial waters unacceptable. According to him, the country does not yet have sufficient evidence to accuse any party of carrying out these attacks. At the same time, he stated that their consequences benefit Russia.

Bulgaria plans to ask NATO and the European Union for assistance in investigating the attacks and strengthening surveillance of its air and maritime space. Radev also announced his intention to summon Russia’s ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, for a meeting.

Андрій Колісніченко