Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev confronted Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova in Sofia, stating the strikes benefit the Russian Federation, though Sofia has no conclusive evidence of origin. Mitrofanova denied receiving information from Russia's Defence Ministry and suggested the incidents were provocations. The maritime instability has already increased shipping insurance premiums, caused cargo refusals at Bulgarian ports, and heightened risks for oil supplies to the Burgas refinery. Bulgaria is now seeking joint safety proposals with Romania and Türkiye while consulting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on regional security.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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HS Dignity Sinks Off Bulgaria With 11 Sailors Missing
Commodities7 days ago
The loss of a cargo ship and the targeting of a second vessel on Tuesday have disrupted commercial traffic in the western Black Sea near the Bulgarian coast. The HS Dignity, a ship managed by a Lebanese company and owned by a Marshall Islands firm, sank 17 nautical miles east of Krapets, leaving 11 sailors missing and 5 rescued. A second ship, the Ukrainian-owned Chelsea 3, was struck by three drones 18 nautical miles off Byala while traveling from Turkey to Moldova; its 15 crew members were evacuated to Varna, with five sustaining minor injuries. These attacks mark the 5th vessel targeted in the region in one week.
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