Radev Confronted the Russian Ambassador Over Drone Strikes Near Bulgarian Coast

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev met with Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova at the Council of Ministers on Tuesday to discuss drone attacks on two commercial vessels near Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, saying that although the drones’ origin had not been conclusively established, the outcome of the strikes benefited Russia.

The meeting followed an extraordinary statement by Radev and an emergency gathering of the security services over the attacks on the CHELSEA 3 and another vessel reported to have sunk near Krapets. The talks lasted less than an hour, Nova TV reported. Mitrofanova entered and left the government building through a service entrance, and reporters were unable to question her.

The Maltese-flagged, Ukrainian-owned CHELSEA 3 was hit by three aerial drones about 18 nautical miles east of Byala. All 15 crew members were evacuated, and six sailors were reported injured in the incident. Another vessel was attacked about 17 nautical miles east of Krapets and sank. Reports about the second ship and the number of survivors have varied.

Earlier, Radev described the attacks as “absolutely unacceptable” and said Bulgaria did not have definitive evidence establishing where the drones came from. He nevertheless argued that it made little sense for Ukraine to destroy its own ships when the consequences of the attacks served Russian interests.

“We do not have solid, clear evidence to level accusations against either side, but logic, as I have already stated, suggests that the outcome works to the advantage of the Russian Federation. That is why I am summoning Ambassador Mitrofanova for a meeting today,” Radev said earlier.

According to the Council of Ministers’ press service, the prime minister repeated this argument during the meeting. Mitrofanova said she understood his reasoning but had received no information from the Russian Defense Ministry about the latest attacks. She also said she could not rule out the possibility that a third party had staged a provocation near Bulgarian territorial waters.

Radev stressed that attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea were unacceptable and represented a serious escalation of the conflict. He said Bulgaria would continue investigating the incidents in cooperation with its EU and NATO allies to establish the facts.

The prime minister also called on the European Commission and NATO to coordinate efforts to stop attacks on commercial vessels. He said Bulgaria was suffering substantial economic and financial losses despite not being a party to the war. The attacks have increased risks for commercial shipping, raised insurance costs and prompted some carriers to refuse cargo destined for Bulgarian ports, according to the government. These developments have increased transport costs and threatened oil supplies to the Burgas refinery.

Radev said Bulgaria would begin consultations with Romania and Turkey to develop joint proposals for improving shipping safety in the Black Sea. Bulgaria had also notified its permanent representatives to NATO and the European Union about the attacks, while the prime minister planned to discuss the situation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The government said the EU and NATO leaders had expressed solidarity with Bulgaria and appreciation for the swift rescue of sailors from the affected vessels. They had also indicated their readiness to provide allied assistance in clarifying the circumstances of the incidents. Radev raised the need for support to strengthen Bulgaria’s ability to monitor and control its airspace and maritime areas.

The prime minister is also expected to raise Black Sea shipping security at the European Council meeting on October 15 and 16.

President Iliana Yotova separately condemned the latest attacks, describing them as a gross violation of international humanitarian and maritime law. In a statement released by the presidential press office, she called for a swift investigation and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.

Yotova said the CHELSEA 3, sailing under the Maltese flag, had been hit by three drones 17 nautical miles east of Varna, while the HS Dignity, flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, had sunk 15 nautical miles east of Krapets.

She praised the rapid response of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Varna, which helped save the entire crew of the first vessel and sailors from the second. The Armed Forces, Border Police and Executive Agency Maritime Administration were involved in efforts to find and rescue survivors, according to the presidential statement.

Yotova warned that freedom of navigation and supply-chain security were under serious threat, creating significant risks for Bulgaria. She said the escalation of the war was increasing the number of incidents near the Bulgarian coast and turning the Black Sea into a war zone.

“The escalation of the war has led to an increase in incidents near the Bulgarian coast and is turning the Black Sea into a war zone. The current situation requires Bulgaria, together with its allies and partners, to make every effort to swiftly investigate the incidents and to de-escalate the conflict through diplomatic means and negotiations,” Yotova said.

She called for the urgent implementation of recommendations adopted by the Consultative Council on National Security on October 7, 2026. The recommendations included using political and diplomatic channels for negotiations, holding urgent consultations with Romania and Turkey on safe navigation, and initiating talks among the six Black Sea countries on a moratorium on the use of drones in the region’s waters.

The statement issued after the council meeting had been supported only by the ruling Progressive Bulgaria and GERB parties, while other participants challenged its legitimacy.