Russia begins attacking vessels off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria

Russia has begun attacking civilian vessels off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria. Over two days, drones attacked at least three cargo vessels, two of which sank. At least three people were killed in the attacks, while dozens of crew members were forced to abandon damaged vessels.

On October 5, a drone struck the Royad Mammadov, which was carrying corn, near the Romanian gas platform Pescarus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the vessel was attacked by two Russian drones. The captain was killed in the strike, while 11 other crew members were rescued.

On October 6, drones attacked two cargo vessels about 80 miles off the Bulgarian coast, within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. The Togo-flagged ALFA WATAN sustained critical damage and sank. Eleven crew members were rescued and two people were killed. This was the first known drone attack on vessels in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone.

The ABLE, flying the Palau flag, was also attacked on the same day. A fire broke out on board after the strike, forcing all 18 crew members to abandon the vessel. The sailors were rescued by the Bulgarian ferry DIOSCURIA, with some suffering injuries and later being evacuated to hospitals. Romanian coast guard vessels and a helicopter also took part in the search-and-rescue operation.

All three attacked vessels are linked to Turkish owners. Andrii Klymenko, head of the Institute for Black Sea Strategic Studies, said that Royad Mammadov and ALFA WATAN are linked to Istanbul-based Spring Marine Denizcilik, while ABLE is owned by Istanbul-based Ocean Eagle Shipping & Trading. Official responsibility for the attacks near Bulgaria has not yet been established, although the Ukrainian side has directly attributed the strikes to Russia.

Tags: Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Black Sea region, war, Black Sea grain corridor