Bulgaria reports two Black Sea vessels attacked, one sunk with missing crew

Bulgarian officials say a merchant ship flying Togo's flag sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, with its crew missing, while a second grain-carrying vessel was hit and its 18 crew rescued. The attacks occurred about 70 miles off Byala at 03:00 local time, involving air and sea drones. Bulgaria condemned the strikes as a violation of maritime law.

Why it matters. The attacks threaten civilian shipping safety in the Black Sea, escalating risks to grain exports and maritime trade amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.