Malta-Flagged Cargo Ship Struck by Drones in Black Sea, Injuring Four Crew
In brief
- A Maltese-registered cargo vessel, the Chelsea 3, was hit by three drones while navigating the Black Sea.
- Four Ukrainian crew members sustained minor injuries during the strike off the Bulgarian coast.
- The ship was en route from Turkey to Moldova when the attack occurred on Monday.
A Malta-flagged cargo vessel was struck by drones in the Black Sea on Monday, leaving four crew members injured.
The ship, identified as the Ukrainian-owned M/V Chelsea 3, came under attack while sailing off the coast of Bulgaria. The vessel was en route from Giresun in Turkey to the port of Giurgiulești in Moldova when the strike occurred.
According to official reports, the commercial vessel was targeted by three drones. Four crew members, all Ukrainian nationals, sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident.
The strike was confirmed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Chris Fearne, who verified the details of the attack on the vessel as it sailed through the region. Reports attributed the strike to Russian forces operating in the Black Sea corridor.
The Chelsea 3 was reportedly travelling in the area alongside another vessel when the incident took place. Commercial shipping in the western Black Sea has continued to face severe hazards due to ongoing military activity in nearby maritime routes.
Maltese maritime authorities maintain oversight of vessels registered under the national flag, working with international shipping bodies to assess safety and security in high-risk zones.
The Spin Room
Low media divide. Both outlets reported the maritime incident consistently, focusing on the factual details of the strike and the condition of the crew.