On 29 October, BNR, citing the Varna regional administration and maritime authorities, confirmed that the ship had sunk. None of the 18 seafarers was injured. Navy commander Kiril Mihaylov said the drones’ origin was unknown. The attack is not attributed to Russia or Ukraine.
Bulgaria / 2026-10-28-bg-1
CONTSHIP JET: drone attack and sinking
/ date of the event
What happened
On 28 October 2026, the Liberian-flagged container ship CONTSHIP JET, bound for Constanța, was attacked by maritime drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. The defence ministry placed the first strike at about 12:00, some 17 nautical miles east of Cape Kaliakra. Naval surveillance and a French patrol aircraft observed the strikes; the ministry reported three hits. All 18 crew members had been rescued by 13:45. The devices’ origin and operator remain undetermined. The EEZ is not territorial waters. One entry covers the attack, rescue and the vessel’s subsequent fate. Exact coordinates are undetermined; the entry has no map point. On 29 October, BNR, citing the Varna regional administration and maritime authorities, confirmed that the ship had sunk. None of the 18 seafarers was injured. Navy commander Kiril Mihaylov said the drones’ origin was unknown. The attack is not attributed to Russia or Ukraine. On 29 October, Sofia’s military district prosecutor opened an investigation into prohibited methods of warfare in the attack on the neutral Liberian-flagged ship in Bulgaria’s EEZ. Urgent crew interviews were ordered; further inquiries are to cover the voyage, cargo and extent of damage. This is the legal characterisation under investigation, not a judgment or identification of the drone operator. It does not change the 28 October attack date, confirmed sinking or total of 18 rescued crew members.
Responsibility and limits of the evidence
unresolved
The case was looked at and not settled, or the findings are disputed or have been rejected.
Impact
- killed
- 0
- injured
- 0
- damage
- property damage
All 18 crew members were rescued; no deaths or injuries reported by BNR.
evacuation: 18
What happened next
On 29 October, Sofia’s military district prosecutor opened an investigation into prohibited methods of warfare in the attack on the neutral Liberian-flagged ship in Bulgaria’s EEZ. Urgent crew interviews were ordered; further inquiries are to cover the voyage, cargo and extent of damage. This is the legal characterisation under investigation, not a judgment or identification of the drone operator. It does not change the 28 October attack date, confirmed sinking or total of 18 rescued crew members.
Sources
- Военноморските сили проведоха успешно операция по спасяване на екипажа на кораба CONTSHIP JET
Министерство на отбраната / 2026-10-28 / primary source
supports: the record, the date, the location, that it happened, the impact
- Поразеният от дронове контейнеровоз е потънал
BNR Varna / 2026-10-29 / secondary source
supports: the record, that it happened, the impact
- Rear Admiral Mihaylov: Drones’ origin in Black Sea ship attack unknown
BNR Radio Bulgaria / 2026-10-29 / secondary source
supports: the record, the attribution, the impact
- Greek container ship sinks after drone attack off Bulgaria
Reuters / WTVB / 2026-10-29 / secondary source
supports: the record, the location, that it happened, the impact
- Военно-окръжна прокуратура-София образува досъдебно производство за нападението над кораба CONTSHIP JET
Прокуратура на Република България / 2026-10-29 / primary source
supports: the record, that it happened, the location