Calls Grow in Sofia for NATO Action and Stronger Defense After Drone Strikes Just Outside Bulgaria’s Territorial Waters

Two ships were struck by aerial drones near Bulgaria’s maritime border in separate overnight incidents in the Black Sea, with one vessel sinking and four crew members from the sunken ship later reported rescued, according to information provided by Bulgarian authorities.

The attacks linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine are taking place increasingly close to Bulgaria’s maritime boundary. The latest incidents occurred 17 to 18 nautical miles from the boundary of the country’s territorial waters, which extend 12 nautical miles from the coast along a 378-kilometer stretch between Cape Kartal in the north and the mouth of the Rezovska River in the south.

Former European Parliament member Aleksandar Yordanov has called on Bulgaria to take a firm anti-Russian position following the latest drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea, urging the government to consider recalling the Russian ambassador and reducing diplomatic relations with Moscow.

Speaking to bTV, Yordanov said Russian aggression had continued for years and that civilian infrastructure had increasingly been targeted this year in an effort to destabilize life in Ukraine. He argued that the attacks on vessels near Bulgaria’s coast represented an attempt to extend the aggression into a region beyond the immediate war zone.

"I am absolutely convinced that this is a Russian strike," Yordanov said.

He called for a tougher response toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and demanded Russia’s complete isolation.

"It is high time to tell the megalomaniacal dictator Putin that he must stop the war. Russia must face total isolation. Mitrofanova should not merely be summoned for coffee and a 'friendly' admonition; we need to consider recalling the Russian ambassador from Bulgaria and downgrading our diplomatic relations with that country," Yordanov said.

International law expert and attorney Ivaylo Dermendzhiev said Bulgaria could consult NATO allies under Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty, but invoking Article 5 would be considerably more difficult because the Black Sea is not defined as NATO territory.

Former Defense Deputy Minister Yordan Bozhilov told bTV that the latest strike occurred close to Bulgaria’s territorial boundary, within the contiguous zone, where the country has specific rights and obligations.

Bozhilov warned that the incident could further escalate tensions and disrupt shipping in the Black Sea. He noted that almost all maritime traffic in the region passes through Bulgarian and Romanian territorial waters, raising the possibility of a sharp decline in traffic or a shift of vessels entirely into those waters.

He said Bulgaria must assess the risk of further escalation, including whether future attacks could threaten its territorial waters, ships or facilities and thereby violate Bulgarian territory. He also pointed out that the vessel hit in the latest incident was sailing under the Maltese flag, making Malta, as an EU member, interested in an investigation and likely to raise the matter within the bloc.

"Bulgaria and Romania should jointly raise the matter within NATO, perhaps not by invoking Article 4, but through consultations and, together with Malta, bring the issue before the EU," Bozhilov said.

He maintained that Russia was seeking to halt Black Sea shipping to prevent Ukraine from exporting its goods.

Velizar Shalamanov said Bulgaria had once again failed to keep pace with events. He argued that the prime minister should have established a temporary interagency situation center after the first incident to consolidate information from all security services and coordinate the response to Russia’s actions in the Black Sea.

Shalamanov also called for a fundamental change in the government’s approach to defense, saying Bulgaria could not rely exclusively on its own aircraft and pilots to secure its airspace or on Bulgarian ships and sailors to protect maritime areas. He urged the government to use consultations to mobilize the full capabilities of NATO and the European Union to deter Russia and prevent further escalation.

Captain 1st Rank Vasil Danov described the latest Black Sea attack as a continuation of Russian sabotage against Ukrainian ports and vessels in comments to NOVA.

"This is a strike against a vessel most likely transporting cargo to or from Ukraine. The incident represents a continuation of Russian acts of sabotage against Ukrainian ports and ships," Danov said.

He said the attack took place in Bulgaria’s contiguous zone, which falls within the operational area of the Bulgarian Navy. The area is monitored by the EKRAN coastal surveillance system, a modern technology developed with U.S. assistance.

Danov said the Navy should have detailed information about the ship and the precise location of the strike. However, he stressed that Bulgaria has no legal obligation, as a sovereign state, to protect foreign vessels in the contiguous zone. Its responsibility is strictly limited to its territorial waters, which extend 12 nautical miles from the coast.

Regarding the diplomatic response, Danov argued that talks with Russia would serve little purpose at this stage. He called for a tougher stance and proposed summoning both the Ukrainian and Russian ambassadors to receive official notes from the Foreign Ministry.

"It is time to show muscle, strength, and resolve. Both the Ukrainian and Russian ambassadors should be summoned to receive an official note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Danov said.

Although the origin of the drones has not been officially confirmed, he argued that responsibility was clear and said Ukraine had categorically denied any involvement.

Danov also urged Bulgaria to strengthen the protection of its airspace and maritime territory by investing in its own defense capabilities and protective systems. He called for clear plans to acquire additional weapons and technical equipment so the country would not be caught unprepared or depend solely on security capabilities supplied by NATO allies.

He warned that further incidents in the Black Sea were likely, noting that commercial vessels had deliberately been sailing close to the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts for months because they considered this route safer on their way to the straits.