The Kyiv Independent reports that all fifteen crew members of Chelsea 3, a Maltese-flagged ship owned by a Ukrainian company, were evacuated after the 13 October attack. Five received medical assistance, according to Bulgaria’s prime minister.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha thanked Bulgarian rescuers and blamed Russia in a statement carried by Nova. That Ukrainian attribution does not remove Sofia’s stated reservation.
AP also reports a request for NATO support to improve surveillance and responses to drones. This is not an announcement that a deployment has already taken place.
Sources 3
- Външният министър на Украйна благодари на България за спасяването на моряците от кораба „Челси 3”
- AP — Bulgaria says Russia likely behind Black Sea strikes as rescue operations continue
- 'Absolutely unacceptable' — 11 crew members lost at sea after commercial ships hit by drones near Bulgaria's Black Sea coast