European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria’s coast, describing the incidents as another escalation of the Russia–Ukraine war in the Black Sea.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said two vessels, including a Ukrainian-owned cargo ship, were struck Tuesday in the second such attack within a week. Radev said there was no solid evidence identifying those responsible but announced he would summon Russia’s ambassador, arguing Moscow stood to gain from the attacks.
“The Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine. This is unacceptable,” von der Leyen said. “I strongly condemn the drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria’s coast.”
The attacks have brought the security risks surrounding commercial shipping closer to Bulgaria, an EU member on the Black Sea. Von der Leyen said the strikes placed crew members’ lives in “grave danger” and threatened security across the Black Sea. She expressed solidarity with Bulgaria and thanked rescuers for their response while calling for those responsible to be held accountable. The incidents raise concerns that risks from the Russia–Ukraine war are increasingly affecting commercial shipping near EU and NATO territory. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would continue monitoring Black Sea security and adjust its deterrence and defense posture “as needed,” noting that NATO had already strengthened its eastern flank.
The second attack within a week increases concerns over the vulnerability of merchant shipping as the Russia–Ukraine conflict affects the Black Sea. Radev’s decision to summon Russia’s ambassador adds a diplomatic dimension despite the absence of firm evidence identifying the attacker. His acknowledgment that there is no solid proof of responsibility leaves attribution unresolved, even as he argues Moscow stands to gain. The involvement of a Ukrainian-owned cargo ship also connects the latest incident more directly to the wider conflict. Repeated attacks could intensify European concerns over the security of civilian vessels operating near Bulgaria’s coastline. Von der Leyen’s characterization of the Black Sea as another front of escalation underscores the EU’s concern that attacks on merchant shipping could widen the war’s security consequences beyond Ukraine. (AFP+EIR)
