What We Know About the Drone Attack on the Greek-Managed Tanker Contship Jet

Three maritime drones struck the Greek-managed tanker Contship Jet off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast on Oct. 28, and all 18 people aboard were rescued, according to Euronews. Greek City Times reported that the vessel sank. Euronews has now obtained previously unseen images of the attack.

Bulgaria has opened an investigation, and no one has been proven responsible. Russia is suspected of being behind a wider wave of attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea, but responsibility for this one has not been established.

What happened to the Contship Jet?

The Liberian-flagged tanker was sailing from the Israeli port of Haifa to Constanța in Romania when it was hit, Euronews reported. The attack took place inside Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, a stretch of sea where the country holds rights over resources and economic activity.

Euronews said it was the fifth drone attack recorded in that zone in October. Greek City Times described the vessel as having sunk.

What happened to the crew?

All 18 crew members were rescued by Bulgarian naval and border police vessels. According to both outlets, 14 were Filipino and four were Ukrainian. They were taken to the port city of Varna for medical checks.

Is there any environmental risk?

The maritime.bg site reported that some containers aboard held lithium-ion batteries, flammable liquids, gases and other hazardous materials. Bulgarian navy teams took samples at several locations in the country's territorial waters. Euronews and Greek City Times both reported that the teams found no signs of pollution.

Who is suspected, and what is being investigated?

Bulgaria's Military District Prosecutor's Office opened a preliminary investigation the day after the attack to establish the circumstances.

The wave of incidents off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania has led some NATO members to ask whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is testing the alliance's support for Ukraine, Euronews reported. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev told parliament earlier this month that the logic points in that direction. He added: “we cannot prove it.”

How have NATO countries responded?

The attack came while defense ministers from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey were meeting in Sofia to discuss Black Sea security. In a joint statement, the three NATO members strongly condemned strikes on vessels and called for an end to attacks that threaten commercial ships, maritime infrastructure and the safety of maritime activity.

They also agreed to step up intelligence sharing, early warning capabilities and coordination in the region.

On Oct. 15, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in a post on X that the alliance had strengthened its posture along the eastern flank. He said that included increasing counter-drone capabilities.

Why does it matter?

The Black Sea is a working trade route, and the Contship Jet was a commercial vessel carrying cargo and a civilian crew. Five drone attacks in one month inside Bulgaria's economic zone alone point to growing risks for ships and sailors in the area, and for the countries whose waters they cross.

The incident also shows how hard attribution is. Officials in Bulgaria describe a pattern they suspect is Russian-linked but say it cannot be proven. That uncertainty shapes how NATO members can respond. For now, the response consists of condemnation, an investigation, and plans for closer intelligence sharing and early warning.

The crew's nationalities also show how far the consequences of such attacks reach. The seafarers came from the Philippines and Ukraine, aboard a Liberian-flagged ship managed from Greece.

What happens next?

Bulgaria's preliminary investigation is continuing, and no findings have been published. The three defense ministers' agreement on intelligence sharing and early warning is meant to improve coordination across the region, though the statement gave no timeline.

Around Prague, based on reporting by Euronews.com, Greek City Times