Ship sinks and crew missing after Black Sea drone attack

A cargo ship, the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan, sank after being targeted by air and sea drones approximately 70 miles off the Bulgarian coast. A search operation is currently underway for the missing crew. Simultaneously, a second vessel, the Palau-flagged Able, was hit, resulting in injuries to crew members who were later rescued by Bulgarian authorities.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen labeled the attacks on civilian shipping as unacceptable. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev warned that the conflict in Ukraine risks expanding its geographical reach, threatening global stability as maritime security in the Black Sea continues to deteriorate.