Bulgaria to Join NATO Anti-Drone Initiative

Bulgaria expects to join a NATO anti-drone initiative by the end of October, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said on Wednesday, a day after a drone attack sank a cargo vessel off the country's Black Sea coast for the second time in a week.

The attacks have highlighted the growing threat that drone warfare linked to the Russia-Ukraine war poses to commercial shipping near NATO's southeastern flank, prompting Bulgaria to push for stronger alliance defences in the Black Sea.

"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," local media quoted Stoyanov as telling a parliamentary hearing.

Two cargo ships were hit by drones on October 13 off the Bulgarian coast. One of them, identified as the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel HS Dignity, sank, leaving 11 sailors missing at sea and prompting Sofia to summon Russia's ambassador. Drones struck two other cargo ships in the same waters on October 6.

Bulgaria's Transport Ministry announced on Wednesday afternoon that it had halted rescue operations for the missing sailors, citing strong wind, reduced visibility and waves.

Bulgaria has stopped short of explicitly accusing Russia of carrying out the