Russian Attack Sinks Israeli-Affiliated Ship in Black Sea

The attack occurred within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, approximately 17 nautical miles east of Cape Kaliakra. Despite being alerted to the approaching drones by a French Navy maritime patrol aircraft, the ship was unable to evade them. The impacts caused severe damage, a large fire, and a sharp list, leading to the vessel's full submersion during the night.

All 18 crew members, consisting of 14 Filipino and four Ukrainian nationals, were safely rescued by the Bulgarian Navy and taken to Varna for medical checks. The lost cargo included hazardous materials such as lithium-ion batteries, flammable liquids, gases, and acids, prompting Bulgarian naval teams to monitor the area for environmental contamination.

The incident occurred during a trilateral meeting of the defense ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey, who issued a joint statement condemning attacks on commercial shipping in the region. While Ukraine has previously blamed Russia for such attacks, Moscow denies involvement. ZIM stated that the ship was chartered rather than owned by the company, and estimated that its financial losses from the incident would be minimal.