Contship Jet: Analysts point to Russian Murena drone; Radev says L-39s stood ready
Maritime security firm Ambrey says the drone that hit a freighter off Kaliakra was probably a variant of Russia's Murena-300S. Officially, the attacker has not been identified.
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The sea drone that attacked the container ship Contship Jet off Cape Kaliakra on Oct. 28 was probably a variant of the Russian Murena-300S or derived from it. That is the assessment of international maritime security company Ambrey, reported by Reuters. According to the Ambrey analyst, the drone's maneuvers indicate it was remotely controlled. There is no official confirmation: according to Reuters, it has still not been established who was behind the attack.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Bulgaria had been ready to scramble L-39 aircraft based in Balchik had the drones entered its territorial waters, "but it did not come to that." Acting beyond territorial waters would breach international law, he said, and the country cannot maintain round-the-clock watch over its entire exclusive economic zone. The attack video has been shared with allies, and if the drones' origin is proven, the foreign minister will hand a protest note to the relevant ambassador. "The only 100% guarantee is a ceasefire," Radev said.
The Liberian-flagged ship sank, and all 18 crew members were rescued by the Bulgarian navy. According to the Environment Ministry, the containers held plastics, household chemicals and lithium-ion batteries. Seawater samples at Durankulak, Shabla, Kaliakra, Byala and Sozopol have so far shown no petroleum products. Varna regional governor Mario Smarkov said no significant negative consequences for the sea and coast are expected at this stage.