Greece’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the drone attacks against merchant vessels off the coast of Bulgaria on Tuesday, warning of the dangers they pose to human life and to the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.
According to information released by the Bulgarian prime minister, two ships were struck by drones in two separate incidents near the Bulgarian coastline.
In a statement, the Greek Foreign Ministry said the attacks threaten maritime security and undermine safe navigation in the region. It also reiterated that respect for international law, including the Law of the Sea, is a fundamental prerequisite for preserving stability.
Athens further expressed its solidarity with Bulgaria, praised the swift response of rescue services, and stressed that those responsible must be held accountable.
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The crew of the first vessel, the Odesa-registered Chelsea 3, consisted of seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis. All were taken to the port of Varna, where five are “receiving medical care for minor injuries.”
Bulgarian authorities said five crew members from the second vessel have been rescued, while 11 others remain missing. Local media identified the ship as the cargo vessel Azov Concord.
So far, no clear evidence has emerged as to who carried out the attacks, though Bulgaria and Ukraine have blamed Russia.