Greek container ship sinks after drone attack off Bulgaria

Key Points:

• A Greek container ship, the Liberian-flagged CONTSHIP JET, was sunk after being hit by three naval drones in Bulgaria's Exclusive Economic Zone, marking the latest in a series of attacks in the western Black Sea this month.
• The ship, carrying 421 containers, was en route from Haifa, Israel, to Constanța, Romania; all 18 crew members, including Filipinos and Ukrainians, were safely rescued and brought to the Bulgarian port of Varna.
• Video analysis suggests the attacking unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was likely a Russian drone variant, specifically related to the Murena-300S design, though Russia has denied involvement in these strikes.
• At least six ships have been targeted by drones off Bulgaria this month, with around two dozen seafarers feared dead, raising concerns about the expanding impact of Russia's war in Ukraine on maritime security.
• Bulgaria, a NATO and EU member, has requested assistance to enhance Black Sea security, while initial inspections found no pollution from the ship despite its hazardous cargo, including lithium-ion batteries and corrosive materials.