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SecurityActive today · day 2

Bulgaria to join NATO anti-drone initiative by month's end after Black Sea attacks

Defence minister announces commitment following second cargo ship sinking in a week off Bulgarian coast.

newest coverage 6h agosummary written 7h ago6 pieces NewswiresGoogle NewsRedditMastodon

What to know

  • Two cargo ship attacks in one week off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast have prompted the country to accelerate NATO integration on air defense; the government links the incidents to Russian interests but stops short of formal accusation.
  • Bulgaria plans to join a NATO anti-drone initiative by October 30, requiring a €220,000 annual contribution, while separately committing €80 million with Spain for 20 anti-drone systems.
  • The drone attacks underscore the risks of commercial shipping near NATO's southeastern flank as Russia-Ukraine war operations expand to Black Sea waters and NATO member states.

“their outcome "benefits the Russian Federation"”

Rumen Radev, Bulgarian Prime Minister · Straits Times ↗ · Oct 13

Dimitar Stoyanov Bulgarian Defence MinisterRumen RadevRumen Radev Bulgarian Prime MinisterEleonora Mitrofanova Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria

Bulgaria to join NATO anti-drone initiative by month's end after Black Sea attacks
Straits Times

How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

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yesterdaynow · 7:59 AM ET
  1. 2

    PM Radev warns of unclear parameters in Freya initiative

    Prime Minister Radev cautioned against confusing the two initiatives and noted that the anti-ballistic defense project Freya has 10 participating countries but unclear resource expectations and contribution levels remain largely unknown.

    “The parameters remain largely unknown. It is unclear what level of resources each country is expected to contribute.”
    — Rumen Radev

    • Hopefully Radev's pawn Iotova doesn't win the presidential elections on the 25th. It's nothing compared to the power of the PM but a lot of the president's otherwise pretty boring powers are particularly useful now during wartime (like being the one that appoints ambassadors).

      Dhghomonr/europe6h agoview on r/europe ↗
  2. 3

    Stoyanov clarifies NATO anti-drone initiatives; Bulgaria commits to €80 million procurement

    Defence Minister Stoyanov told Parliament that Bulgaria has committed €80 million to procure 20 anti-drone systems through the SAFE mechanism with Spain and remains active in the "Drone Edge" initiative. He distinguished this from a separate NATO project on low-altitude aerial threats requiring €220,000 annual contribution, which Bulgaria expects to join by October 30.

    “I never said that Bulgaria would withdraw from the 'Drone Edge' initiative. We expect to sign a memorandum of understanding with Spain at any moment regarding the joint acquisition of these systems.”
    — Dimitar Stoyanov
  3. background

    Bulgaria halts rescue operations; PM links attacks to Russia — Bulgaria's Transport Ministry halted rescue operations due to weather conditions. Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the attacks' outcome "benefits the Russian Federation," though Bulgaria stopped short of explicitly accusing Russia. Russia's ambassador said she had no Defence Ministry information about the attacks.

  4. 1

    Second drone attack sinks cargo vessel; 11 sailors missing

    Two cargo ships were hit by drones off the Bulgarian coast on October 13. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged HS Dignity sank, leaving 11 sailors missing. Bulgaria summoned Russia's ambassador in response.

    “Bulgaria will be part of this project as soon as possible. Expectations are that by October 30, we will already be part of the project.”
    — Dimitar Stoyanov
    1. 3 outlets Bulgaria expects to join NATO anti-drone initiative this month, says minister

      first by Straits Times, 1d ago · also Fresno Bee, Reuters

  5. background

    Drones strike cargo ships off Bulgarian coast — Two cargo ships were attacked by drones in waters near Bulgaria's Black Sea coast.