Bulgaria says Russia was likely behind Black Sea drone strikes as rescue operations continue

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria on Wednesday said Russia was likely behind drone attacks that struck four ships in the Black Sea in the past week, sinking two, but there was no way of proving Moscow's culpability.

Rescuers are still searching for 11 crew members missing after drone strikes on Tuesday sank two ships in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone and adjacent waters, while five other crew members were rescued.

One of the ships is registered to Guinea-Bissau but the other one, the Chelsea-3, is Ukrainian-owned, registered in Odesa and sails under the flag of Malta, a European Union member.

“There is no logic in Ukraine attacking its own ships and crews, given that the outcome of all these attacks favors Russia — and indeed, the logic points in that direction. The problem is that we cannot prove it,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev told Parliament.

Radev on Tuesday summoned the Russian ambassador to Sofia, who said she does not have any information from the Russian defense ministry but she did not rule out the possibility that “these attacks represent a provocation by a third party.”

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Dignity sank Tuesday after it was hit by a military strike. Four sailors, three Syrian nationals and one Egyptian, were rescued and arrived in the port of Varna, district Gov. Mario Smarkov said.

“All four appeared to be in relatively good condition and had sustained no injuries,” he said. A fifth sailor is expected to arrive later on Wednesday.

Smarkov said the search for the 11 missing crew members continues.

Bulgaria has requested international assistance for the investigation into attacks on commercial vessels, as well as NATO support to strengthen surveillance and control systems and response capabilities against drone attacks.

President Iliana Yotova called for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Black Sea and a moratorium on drone attacks against commercial and civilian infrastructure, following the latest drone attacks.

“The unprecedented attacks demonstrate that the war has reached the Black Sea and that the conflict is intensifying,” Yotova said in an TV interview on Tuesday.

She explained that coordinated steps have been taken with her colleagues from Romania and Turkey in the wake of the growing risks and dangers in the Black Sea basin.

“The aim is a moratorium on the use of drones over the Black Sea against commercial and civilian infrastructure and to halt hostilities over the sea,” Yotova said.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, 2nd right, speaks with Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova, 2nd left, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Bulgarian Government via AP)

Bulgarian Navy emergency rescue tug Mizar is seen near the ship Azov Concord, where four sailors rescued from the drone-attacked and sunk ship HS Dignity await transportation to the port of Varna, Bulgaria, late Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Moreto.net via AP)

Emergency rescue tug of Bulgarian Navy's - Mizar transport the four of saved sailors from the drone-attacked and sunk ship HS Dignity to port of Varna, Bulgaria, late Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Moreto.net via AP)

Four of the saved sailors from the drone-attacked and sunk ship HS Dignity seen on emergency rescue tug of Bulgarian Navy's - Mizar as they are transported to the port of Varna, Bulgaria, late Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Moreto.net via AP)

Four of the saved sailors from the drone-attacked and sunk ship HS Dignity seen on emergency rescue tug of Bulgarian Navy's - Mizar as they are transported to the port of Varna, Bulgaria, late Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Moreto.net via AP)

Last season: 42-40, lost in the play-in tournament.

COACH: Tyronn Lue (17th season, 750-527).

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 21 vs. Sacramento.

DEPARTURES: F Kawhi Leonard, F/C John Collins, G Bogdan Bogdanovic, G Chris Paul, F Nicolas Batum, G/F Bennedict Mathurin.

ADDITIONS: F Rui Hachimura, F Brandon Ingram, G/F Max Strus, F/G Gradey Dick, G Jalen Pickett, G Keaton Wagler, F Baba Miller, F Nick Martinelli.

The Clippers look vastly different with the departures of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac. The makeover is underway with the additions of Rui Hachimura from the Lakers and Brandon Ingram, who came from Toronto as part of the Leonard trade. Also noteworthy: owner Steve Ballmer won’t be sitting courtside after being banned by the NBA for a year as part of the team’s steep punishment for circumventing salary cap rules. The penalties included the loss of five first-round draft picks. Still, the Clippers should have a competitive roster with veterans like Darius Garland, Rui Hachimura, Derrick Jones Jr. and Brook Lopez.

The good: Garland is fully recovered from toe and foot ligament injuries and is ready to assume leadership and playmaking duties. In 19 games last season, he averaged 19.9 points with 6.4 assists. With a full offseason and training camp, Garland is expected to be one of the team’s top players. Tyronn Lue is a proven asset as coach and he’ll be tasked with developing and blending in the younger players. Wagler spent the summer building up his body and has potential to be a strong defender. The league's year-long investigation is over and the Clippers have a clear path, albeit rocky, to move on and again become competitive in the West.

The not-so-good: Ingram will miss the start of the season while recovering from May surgery for a partially torn Achilles. Strus also will be out for a while with a right foot injury sustained during training camp. Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, is out until March while serving a six-month ban for his role in the salary cap scandal. The team won't control its own first-round draft pick outright until 2034 and will operate under the league's monitoring for the next five years.

G Kobe Sanders had a productive rookie year, averaging 7.3 points and nearly 20 minutes a game as part of the rotation, and should only get better. C Yanic Konan Niederhauser had his rookie season end early with a foot injury but he showed promise over 41 games.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

LA Clippers' Gradey Dick (9) walks up the court during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (10) dribbles during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against Golden State Warriors, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)

LA Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue talks during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against Golden State Warriors, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)