Following a series of incidents that saw ten vessels attacked in the Black Sea near the shores of Romania and Bulgaria over the past month, the first images of an attack drone have surfaced.
These images depict one of the three drones that struck the ship Contship Jet on Wednesday, located 16 nautical miles from Cape Kaliakra. The vessel, a container ship en route from Haifa, Israel, to Constanța, Romania, was severely damaged.
Images were provided by a source from maritime.bg. The sea conditions shown in the images correspond with Wednesday’s weather, and the video has been verified by three independent sources, according to the Bulgarian naval publication.
The photographs clearly show the naval drone approaching the container ship from the starboard side.
Why was a plane seen above the ship?
Another video released by maritime.bg shows the ship before the attack and an aircraft flying overhead, followed by a massive explosion that created a cloud of smoke above the vessel.
Bulgarian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov stated that a French Navy “Atlantique” patrol aircraft was the first to detect two naval drones approximately 30 nautical miles east of Cape Kaliakra and a third one about 50 nautical miles away, according to Novinite.
The drones were reportedly heading west towards several vessels traversing the area north of Cape Kaliakra, Mihaylov noted.
Authorities were immediately informed about the threat to maritime traffic, and the French aircraft transmitted warnings on the naval alert channel while tracking the drones, with updated information relayed through the French maritime command for the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
The first attack on the CONTSHIP JET occurred around lunchtime, followed by two more strikes. After the French aircraft reported that the crew had abandoned the ship, Bulgarian naval forces launched a search and rescue operation.
Contship Jet has sunk
The Bulgarian government announced the ship had sunk, as reported by Reuters. It remains unclear who was responsible for the attack, raising further concerns about the implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine on maritime trade in the region.
The CONTSHIP JET, flying a Liberian flag and carrying 421 containers, suffered significant damage from three maritime drones while navigating through Bulgaria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) — but outside its territorial waters — on its route from Haifa to Constanța.
All 18 crew members, including 14 Filipinos and four Ukrainians, were rescued and safely transported to the Bulgarian port of Varna, as stated by Contships Management.
Initial inspections conducted on Thursday found no visible signs of pollution from the ship, which was carrying lithium-ion batteries, corrosive liquids, acids, and industrial components.
Ten incidents in a month off Romania and Bulgaria
At least six vessels have been attacked by drones off Bulgaria this month, with approximately two dozen sailors reported missing, according to the Sofia government.
Several incidents have also occurred off the Romanian coast: the Turkish vessel “Royad Mammadov” was struck on October 5 near the Pescăruş platform, followed by the “Yara J” on October 14, the “Wine Trader” on October 15, and the “Khoryv” on October 23. Some sailors have been reported dead or missing after these attacks.
On October 16, President Nicușor Dan remarked in Brussels that it is too early to technically prove that the attacks in the Black Sea were carried out by Russians, but he suggested that the beneficiary of this uncertainty is likely Russia.
Bulgaria and Romania have requested assistance from their allies to enhance security along their Black Sea coasts.
Recently, the Financial Times reported that the Black Sea has become the most dangerous maritime route in the world, surpassing risks found in the Middle East, according to shipowners and maritime associations.
Turkey warns of intervention if attacks persist
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler warned both Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday to cease attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, stating that Ankara reserves the right to take legal action against such assaults, representing Turkey’s most direct intervention yet, according to Reuters.
As a NATO member, Turkey has maintained good relations with both Moscow and Kyiv since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, repeatedly urging both sides to stop attacks in the Black Sea that have also targeted Turkish-flagged and owned commercial vessels.
Ankara is awaiting responses to a proposal it has sent to both Russia and Ukraine aimed at halting the escalation of attacks and ensuring safe transport of grain from the region.
Speaking in Sofia following a security meeting between defense ministers and military chiefs from Black Sea states — Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria — Guler noted that commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea have been affected by drone attacks, drifting mines, and missiles during the conflict.
He expressed concern over the intense attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, urging parties to act sensibly in line with navigation safety principles in open seas. He also confirmed that another vessel was struck by three drones within Bulgaria’s maritime jurisdiction on Wednesday.
“We also reserve all legal rights concerning attacks on Turkish-flagged or owned vessels and are closely monitoring the situation… Continuous warnings are being issued to both sides to maintain commercial navigation outside the conflict zone and to immediately cease attacks on civilian ships,” Guler added.
