A container ship flying the Liberian flag was struck by sea drones off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast on Wednesday, according to Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov. The vessel, registered in Greece, was sailing within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone at the time of the incident. The attack marks the latest development amid ongoing concerns about the expanding impact of the conflict in Ukraine.

Details regarding the responsible party behind the sea drone strike remain unclear. Bulgarian authorities have not identified who conducted the operation, and investigations are ongoing. A maritime security official reported that the ship’s crew was safely evacuated following the incident.

The affected container ship had been en route from Haifa, Israel, to Constanța, Romania. In response to the attack, a tanker was dispatched to provide assistance to the damaged vessel, according to Bulgaria’s national radio. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, given the strategic significance of maritime routes in the Black Sea region amid escalating regional tensions.