UAV event in 128 km off the coast of Byala, Bulgaria on Mon 5th October 2026

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said two commercial vessels were struck by drones on Tuesday in the first attack on shipping in the NATO member's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.

"This is an unacceptable attack in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. It is a blatant violation of international law and maritime law," Radev said.

Speaking after an emergency government meeting, Radev said sea and aerial drones attacked the ships at around 3 a.m. local time, about 128 kilometres off Bulgaria's coast near Byala.

The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan suffered critical structural damage and sank at the scene. There was no immediate word on the crew's fate, he said.

The second vessel, the Palau-flagged Able, caught fire after the attack. A Bulgarian ferry evacuated all 18 crew members. Two sailors suffered severe injuries and were flown to a hospital in the port city of Varna, Radev said.

The origin of the drones was not immediately established.