Bulgaria seeks EU, NATO help probing drone attacks on ships; one vessel sinks
Bulgaria asked the EU and NATO for technical help investigating drone attacks on commercial ships off its Black Sea coast. On 13 October Prime Minister Rumen Radev said a second attack within a week had sunk the Ukrainian-owned Chelsea 3.
1 / 4
The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1On 12 October Bulgaria's government said it had asked the EU and NATO for technical assistance in investigating drone attacks on two commercial vessels in its exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. Anadolu AgencyN “Bulgaria has requested technical assistance from the EU and NATO to investigate drone attacks on two commercial vessels in its exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, the government said Monday.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 1Prime Minister Rumen Radev wrote to European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, urging them to prioritise the investigation, according to the Bulgarian News Agency. Anadolu AgencyN “Prime Minister Rumen Radev urged allies to prioritize the investigation in letters to European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 1Bulgarian authorities also asked the European Maritime Safety Agency for help after failing to locate drone debris that could show where the drones came from; the support would help examine physical evidence, satellite data and other information. Anadolu AgencyN “Bulgarian authorities also requested assistance from the European Maritime Safety Agency after failing to locate drone debris that could establish the origin of the drones used in the attacks.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Centre · 1Radev said Bulgaria strongly condemned military attacks on commercial shipping and civilian crews, and that once the perpetrator is identified Sofia would pursue all available diplomatic and legal measures under international law. Anadolu AgencyN “Radev said Bulgaria strongly condemned military attacks against commercial shipping and civilian crews and was determined to identify those responsible.”“Once the perpetrator is identified, Sofia will pursue all available diplomatic and legal measures in accordance with international law, Radev said.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 1The first attack was announced at a Cabinet meeting on 6 October, when Radev said two commercial vessels had been hit at around 3 am local time using maritime and aerial drones; both were damaged. Anadolu AgencyN “At a Cabinet meeting on Oct. 6, the premier announced that two commercial vessels had been attacked at around 3 am local time (0000GMT) using maritime and aerial drones.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Right · 1On 13 October Radev said two more ships had been hit by drones off the Bulgarian coast and one had sunk, the second such incident in a week. The Straits TimesRC “Two ships were hit by drones off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast and one of them sank, in the second such incident in a week, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Tuesday.” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Right · 1According to Radev, the Ukrainian-owned, Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3 was hit by three drones about 18 nautical miles (33 km) off the coast at around 1:30 a.m. (2230 GMT); its seven Ukrainian and eight Azerbaijani crew were rescued, and five received medical assistance, with no serious injuries. The Straits TimesRC “The Ukrainian-owned "Chelsea 3", sailing under Maltese flag, was hit by three drones some 18 nautical miles (33 km) off the Bulgaria coast around 1:30 a.m. (2230 GMT), Radev said.”“Five crew members received medical assistance, but no one was seriously injured.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Right · 1Radev called the attack "absolutely unacceptable", said he was due to speak with Rutte, and said he would summon the Russian ambassador. The Straits TimesRC “"This is absolutely unacceptable — another attack in the immediate vicinity of Bulgarian territorial waters," Radev said in a televised address.”“adding that he would summon the Russian ambassador about the incident.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Right · 1Radev said there was no clear evidence of who carried out the attack but that "the outcome benefits the Russian Federation"; Reuters noted growing concern about hybrid drone attacks by Russia during its war in Ukraine. The Straits TimesRC “Radev said there was no clear evidence who carried out the attack but "the outcome benefits the Russian Federation"”“There are growing concerns about hybrid attacks involving drones by Russia as it wages war in Ukraine.” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Anadolu reports the diplomatic and investigative response: Bulgaria's requests to the EU, NATO and the maritime safety agency, with Radev's pledge to pursue legal and diplomatic measures.
- Emphasis
- Investigative process, evidence gathering and the missing drone debris; no suspect is named.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Russia, Ukraine or the later sinking of a vessel.
- For example
-
“Radev said Sofia would take all necessary steps to establish responsibility beyond doubt” — Anadolu Agency
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- The Straits Times, running Reuters copy, leads with the sinking of a Ukrainian-owned ship and Radev's suggestion that the outcome benefits Russia.
- Emphasis
- The sinking, crew rescue, Radev's "unacceptable" remark, the Russian ambassador summons and wider hybrid-attack concerns.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the requests for EU and NATO technical help or the missing drone debris.
- Charged language
- “absolutely unacceptable”“hybrid attacks”
- For example
-
“"the outcome benefits the Russian Federation"” — The Straits Times
What every side reports
- Drones hit commercial ships off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast.
- Prime Minister Rumen Radev is the source for the account of the attacks and Bulgaria's response.
- No perpetrator has been established.
Rumen Radev person
Radev condemns the attacks on civilian shipping, seeks EU and NATO help to identify those responsible, and says there is no clear evidence of who carried out the latest attack though the outcome benefits Russia.
“Radev said Bulgaria strongly condemned military attacks against commercial shipping and civilian crews and was determined to identify those responsible.” — Anadolu Agency
“Radev said there was no clear evidence who carried out the attack but "the outcome benefits the Russian Federation"” — The Straits Times
Bulgaria place
Bulgaria says it will pursue diplomatic and legal measures once the perpetrator is identified and is in contact with NATO about allied assistance.
“Bulgaria is also in contact with NATO regarding allied assistance, he added.” — Anadolu Agency
Left2 articles
Centre1 article
-
Bulgaria seeks EU, NATO assistance to investigate Black Sea ship attacks
Neutral Procedural report on Bulgaria's requests for technical help in identifying who attacked the ships.
Right1 article
-
The Straits TimesRC · · via Reuters
Drone sinks Ukrainian-owned ship off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, prime minister says
Mixed Reuters wire copy leading with the sinking and Radev's remarks pointing to Russia's benefit, with context on hybrid drone threats.
- 12 Oct 19:17 First Anadolu AgencyN Bulgaria seeks EU, NATO assistance to investigate Black Sea ship attacks
- 13 Oct 07:20 +12h 2m The Straits TimesRC Drone sinks Ukrainian-owned ship off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, prime minister says via Reuters
- 13 Oct 07:45 +12h 28m Daily MirrorL Russian drones hit ships and sink one on edge of NATO territory in 'unacceptable' attack
- 13 Oct 08:05 +12h 48m The HinduLC Drone sinks Ukrainian-owned ship off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, Bulgarian Prime Minister says
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
Ask about this story
Loading…