Bulgaria Frigate Finds No Drone Debris in Cargo Ship Attack | Mariner News
Bulgaria’s frigate Verni has concluded its search for evidence of a drone attack on two cargo ships in the Black Sea, reporting no discovery of debris or fragments from the vessels or surrounding waters. This development significantly complicates international efforts to attribute the attack and pursue potential sanctions.
On Friday, October 9, Bulgarian armed forces personnel spent approximately 30 minutes aboard the bulker Able, one of the vessels struck earlier in the week. Despite extensive fire damage described as “extremely intense,” the team, tasked with collecting fragments, photographing the wreck, and searching for drone debris, found no evidence either on the ship or in the water.
The absence of physical evidence prevents Bulgarian officials from speculating on the drone’s origins. Both Ukraine and Russia have denied responsibility for the October 6 attacks that damaged the two vessels.
The renewed search by the Verni followed diplomatic pressure. Bulgaria had initially halted its search after declaring 10 crewmembers from the cargo ship Alfa Watan missing. However, Syria, which had nine crewmembers aboard the Alfa Watan, subsequently called for an independent investigation involving both Bulgaria and the International Maritime Organization.
Separately, officials from the European Union reportedly informed Bulgaria that further action was necessary if the country intended to advocate for sanctions in response to the attacks. The inability to recover physical evidence directly challenges the feasibility of building a strong case for such punitive measures, potentially leaving accountability unresolved and impacting the broader security landscape in the Black Sea.
