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Bulgaria investigates drone attack on Chelsea 3 in Black Sea
Bulgarian authorities are conducting a pre-trial investigation into a drone attack on the Chelsea 3, a Maltese-flagged vessel owned by a Ukrainian company. The incident occurred on October 13, 2026, approximately 18 nautical miles east of Beyala within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. The attack, involving three drones, resulted in severe structural damage and hull breaches, though all 15 crew members—seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis—were rescued and transported to Varna.
The vessel was successfully towed to the port of Burgas on October 17 following a complex operation coordinated by the Ministry of Transport, the Maritime Administration, the Navy, and the Border Police. Transport Minister Georgi Peev reported that remains were discovered on board, though he clarified that experts must still determine if they are drone fragments or parts of the ship's hull.
To enhance maritime security, Bulgaria is increasing surveillance in the Black Sea. Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov confirmed that two Bulgarian unmanned systems are active, with a third expected to join shortly. Additionally, a US Boeing P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft is patrolling the region following a joint decision with NATO. The Military Prosecutor's Office is leading the investigation, with support from allied technical teams.
Entities
Bulgaria · Burgas · Chelsea 3 · Chelsea 3 · Dimitar Stoyanov · Georgi Peev · NATO · Rumen Radev · Zhivko Petrov
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Commercial ship traffic in the Black Sea has not decreased following the drone incidents. ruse.news · euronews.bg · viaranews.com · petel.bg
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Military Prosecutor's Office has opened a pre-trial investigation into the Chelsea 3 incident. viaranews.com · www.actualno.com · fakti.bg · euronews.bg · safenews.bg · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] A US Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft is patrolling the Black Sea following a joint decision with NATO. www.vesti.bg · ruse.news · safenews.bg · fakti.bg
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Chelsea 3 sustained severe structural damage and large hull breaches during the attack. euronews.bg · viaranews.com · petel.bg · fakti.bg
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Chelsea 3 was attacked by three drones on October 13, 2026, in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. euronews.bg · zonanews.bg · ruse.news · www.actualno.com · fakti.bg
- [● 4 SOURCES] Drone remains were discovered on the Chelsea 3 vessel. euronews.bg · viaranews.com · zonanews.bg · petel.bg