Two merchant ships in Bulgaria's Black Sea exclusive economic zone were struck by drones early on 06 October 2026. The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sank with its crew missing, and the Palau-flagged Able carrying grain caught fire but all 18 crew members were rescued. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a joint investigation with Bulgaria's navy attributed the attacks to Russia, describing a combined assault using sea and aerial drones. This incident marks the first attack on ships within Bulgaria's EEZ and follows a surge in strikes on commercial vessels in the Black Sea region since mid-July 2026. Both Russia and Ukraine have claimed attacks on shipping related to the ongoing conflict, with Russia targeting Ukrainian supply vessels and Ukraine striking Russian ports and shadow fleet vessels. Attacks have caused significant disruptions to Ukrainian grain exports, prompting requests for increased EU transit support which have been refused by Poland and Romania.

Two merchant ships in Bulgaria's Black Sea exclusive economic zone were struck by drones early on 06 October 2026. The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sank with its crew missing, and the Palau-flagged Able carrying grain caught fire but all 18 crew members were rescued. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a joint investigation with Bulgaria's navy attributed the attacks to Russia, describing a combined assault using sea and aerial drones. This incident marks the first attack on ships within Bulgaria's EEZ and follows a surge in strikes on commercial vessels in the Black Sea region since mid-July 2026. Both Russia and Ukraine have claimed attacks on shipping related to the ongoing conflict, with Russia targeting Ukrainian supply vessels and Ukraine striking Russian ports and shadow fleet vessels. Attacks have caused significant disruptions to Ukrainian grain exports, prompting requests for increased EU transit support which have been refused by Poland and Romania.