Bulgaria has shown that it has the ability to act quickly and promptly, that it has the ability to exercise control over its exclusive economic zone and, in fulfillment of its obligations under international conventions, to conduct search and rescue operations, Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated on Wednesday. He was speaking at a parliamentary hearing on the actions taken, the risk assessment and the upcoming measures related to the attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea on October 6 and 13, as well as the information about the deliberate arson of antennas for communication with the Starlink satellite system.
Radev recalled that within a week, four ships were attacked in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. Two of them sank with only four people having been rescued from one of the sunken ships. The other two ships are still afloat and all their crew members were rescued, the Prime Minister said. He thanked the rescue teams from the Air Force, the Border Police, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Varna and the Maritime Administration for their extremely timely, professional and responsible actions in rescuing the distressed sailors.
Radev stressed that the strikes were during the night, and especially those on October 13, were in difficult weather conditions – with high waves, reduced visibility, low cloud cover and precipitation. Despite this, the rescue teams dealt successfully with these conditions, for which he thanked them.
Radev emphasized that everything possible has been done to conduct a thorough investigation to establish the causes of the strikes and from which side the drones are coming. Such an attempt has been made with Air Force crews – two air assets were lowered onto the ship “Able”. They spent more than 30 minutes there and found that the ship had a flooded engine room and the operation was associated with a serious risk. The Prime Minister informed that during this inspection and investigation, no fragments of drones were found, so that it would be possible to clearly state what the causes were and who the source of the attack was.
Radev stressed that active diplomatic activity is currently being carried out. “Even after the first attacks, we began with a request to our NATO allies to strengthen the surveillance and control systems, to strengthen our response capabilities against drone attacks”, said the Prime Minister. He explained that after the first strikes on October 6, he sent letters to the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council and the Secretary General of NATO with a description of the cases and a request for assistance in terms of investigation, monitoring and control, as well as for a reaction. The Prime Minister added that after the strikes on Tuesday, he spoke personally with the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO and received their support and solidarity and readiness to act with everything possible that they have at their disposal as allies.
Regarding the ship Chelsea 3, Radev said that the plans are for it to be towed to the port of Varna by the end of the week, when the sea calms down. There is such an understanding from the owner of the ship, so that then, in a calm environment, a thorough investigation of the ship can be carried out, the Prime Minister indicated.
He recalled that he had also summoned the Russian ambassador for a conversation. “You know my position on this issue, but I received assurance from the Russian ambassador that they have no information from their Ministry of Defence about carrying out attacks at sea. The investigation will show whether this claim is true or not,” said Radev.
On the topic of the Starlink communication antennas, Radev stated that an investigation is underway and urged patience regarding its results.
The PM also requested that the chair of the State Agency for National Security not reveal any details. “It is a matter of very little time, we are working with partner services, for this operation to be successfully concluded. If what exactly has been established is revealed, there will not be the result we are striving for. A little more patience, you will have a result. At the moment, no more will be shared”, said Radev.
Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev also said that additional measures have been taken to protect similar sites in the country by structures of the Interior Ministry, although the responsibility for these sites lies with their owners. “We are convinced that all the facts and circumstances will be established. Then we will speak, rather than engage in speculation and assumptions,” Demerdzhiev added.
Plamen Tonchev, chair of the State Agency for National Security, said the site in question was undergoing expansion, with part of its perimeter fence removed, making it easier for the perpetrators to gain access. Tonchev warned that sabotage attempts targeting critical infrastructure remained a concern. He said authorities identify people on a daily basis who are planning attacks against infrastructure, including railway bridges and stations. He called for calm and unity to help Bulgaria and the European Union overcome what he described as “these difficult times.”
On Monday, Ivaylo Mirchev, co-chair of Yes, Bulgaria, part of Democratic Bulgaria, said that 11 antennas for communication with the Starlink satellite system were deliberately set on fire at a secret site near Sofia.
PM Radev: Bulgaria Responded Swiftly to Black Sea Ship Attacks; Starlink Fires Investigation Ongoing 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-14 08:13:00
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