Suspected Russian drone strike sinks merchant ship off Bulgaria, crew missing

Two merchant vessels were struck by aerial and maritime drones in Bulgaria's Black Sea economic zone on October 6, with one sinking and its crew reported missing. Maritime risk group Vanguard identified the ships as Togo-flagged Alfa Watan and Palau-flagged Able, both of which issued distress signals. The crew of the grain-carrying vessel was rescued, with two people injured, while authorities searched for survivors from the sunken vessel and possible environmental hazards. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the attack, but responsibility remained unconfirmed despite an initial maritime security assessment suggesting Russian involvement.