Ships sunk in Black Sea as drone attacks spread to EU waters

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 22:31 · Archive

Two cargo ships have sunk in the Black Sea after drone strikes in recent days, expanding the conflict near EU territory.

Two cargo ships have sunk in the Black Sea after drone strikes in recent days, marking an expansion of attacks to waters off Bulgaria and Romania. On 6 October, drones struck the Turkish-owned Alfa Watan and the Able in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. The Alfa Watan sank with ten crew members from Egypt and Syria missing; Bulgaria's search and rescue operation was called off on Wednesday. The Able was damaged but its crew was rescued by a passing Bulgarian ship, with two taken to a military hospital in Varna.

The day before, the Royad Mammadov was struck by a drone and sank off Romania's coast, killing two crew members. These incidents are part of a pattern of multiple attacks on cargo ships carrying grain from Ukraine in recent months. Experts note that the western Black Sea, previously considered relatively safe, is now a contested area. Russia has not been explicitly blamed by Bulgaria, though the attacks are widely suspected to be Russian drone strikes.

The escalation has raised concerns about security in the Black Sea as a frontline of Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukraine has been hitting Russian tankers in the region, and there is no sign of a return to the UN-brokered deal that previously allowed ships carrying grain, oil and fertiliser to pass safely.

How it is being reported

• Black sea and black ops: How exposed is Europe to Ukraine war spillover?The story’s as underreported as it is consequential for the entire planet: Three Turkish-owned cargo ships out of Ukraine hit in EU waters by suspected Russian drones. One, the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sinking Tuesday off Bulgaria. Ten Egyptian and Syrian crew missing. For its part, Ukraine’s been hitting Russian tankers in the Black Sea... this with no sign of a return to a UN-brokered deal to allow oil, grain and fertilizer ships to pass.France 24 · 8 Oct, 21:42
• Security in the Black Sea region: is Bulgaria the weak link in Europe's defense against threats from Russia?Two ships have sunk off the coast of Bulgaria and Romania after drone attacks in recent days. Sofia has held back on pointing the finger at Russia. What does that mean for security in the Black Sea and the region?DW News · 8 Oct, 12:45

In this story: Bulgaria · Romania · Russia · Ukraine · Black Sea

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