Bulgaria Recovers Drone Fragments from Ship Attack While Second Ship Sinks
Salvage efforts are continuing after the series of vessel attacks off the coast of Bulgaria in the Black Sea. Officials are now reporting that drone fragments have been recovered from one of the vessels, which should confirm the origins of the attack, but a second one of the vessels that was attacked is believed to have sunk overnight.
Bulgarian forces mounted a salvage operation, which they estimate cost the country as much as €200,000, but they were able to secure one of the attacked vessels, Chelsea-3 (5,827 dwt), and tow it to an anchorage in Burgas. Teams inspecting the vessel located the fragments, which are currently undergoing chemical analyses that will tell them the type of explosives that were used and identify the drone.
The vessel, which is owned by Ukrainian interests and registered in Malta, was attacked approximately 17 miles east of Byala on October 13. It was sailing only with ballast, and the 15 crewmembers were evacuated. Bulgarian officials refused to speculate on the origins of the attack but noted it was not likely that Ukraine would attack one of its own ships.
Damage from the drone impacts (Ministry of Transport)
Bulgarian forces conducted the first visual inspection on October 15, reporting the vessel was drifting southward, but bad weather and heavy seas prevented efforts to secure the vessel. By October 16, the vessel was 10.7 nautical miles east of Lozenets, but it appeared that its anchor was holding the ship. Teams were able to tow the vessel to Burgas on October 17.
The inspection revealed three large holes, including one in the portside stern and another midships. No ammunition or military supplies were found on the vessel. Officials said that international assistance was available if needed to identify the drone fragments and the explosive.
Overnight between October 19 and 20, officials also reported another one of the attacked vessels, the Palau-registered Able disappeared from radar, and they believe it has finally sunk. The ship was attacked on October 6 in Bulgaria’s EEZ about 70 nautical miles from Byala. Air Force and Navy teams inspected the ship on October 9 and reported extensive damage from a fire and that the engine room was flooded. The ship, which was 5,985 tons, was loaded with barley from Romania bound for Turkey. The inspection failed to find any drone fragments.
Damaged cargo ship Able drifted for more than a week before sinking (Bulgarian MOD)
Despite being down at the stern and listing, the Able continued to drift in the Black Sea. As of October 12, Bulgaria said it had exited its EEZ, but it was still being monitored.
Bulgaria’s Minister of Defense, Dimitar Stoyanov, said in the wake of the attacks, two unmanned systems have been deployed to monitor the country’s Black Sea waters. A third, more technically advanced system is expected to join the patrols by the end of the week.
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Prime Minister Rumen Radev added that a US Poseidon aircraft was already patrolling the Black Sea. He said it was increasing its reconnaissance and would also provide early warnings to Bulgaria.
Bulgaria and Romania also asked NATO last week to increase its assistance in the Black Sea to aid in protecting shipping.
