UN condemns drone attacks on commercial vessels in Black Sea

The United Nations condemned drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea on Tuesday, warning that such incidents pose growing risks to global food supply chains and seafarers.

“We of course condemn attacks on civilian ships, especially the most recent one that took place off the coast of Bulgaria,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, told reporters, according to the UN.

Dujarric said attacks on ships carrying grain and other essential goods had increased, affecting commodity prices worldwide. He also pointed to maritime dangers in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, and praised seafarers working in lethal conditions to keep global trade moving.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3 sent a distress call early Tuesday after three aerial drones struck its deck and side, 18 nautical miles east of Byala. All 15 crew members aboard the Ukrainian-owned vessel were safely evacuated to Varna.

Radev said a second ship was struck 17 nautical miles east of Krapets and later sank. One sailor was rescued.