He said Moscow was seeking to widen the escalation and
increasingly targeting sites in the Black Sea near countries that support
Ukraine. He said Ukrainian intelligence was investigating the circumstances of
the latest attack on civilian vessels in the Black Sea.
“Two civilian vessels were attacked in Bulgarian waters
overnight. One sank, and the other sustained significant damage. We extend our
condolences to everyone affected,” the president said.
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s defense forces had not
conducted any operations in that area of the Black Sea. He said the attack was
part of Russia’s ongoing efforts to make the western Black Sea unsafe for
shipping.
The president also said Ukraine’s navy had contacted its
Bulgarian counterparts and clarified the circumstances of the incident.
According to preliminary information, Russian naval and aerial drones attacked
the vessels.
“On the eve of this, a vessel was struck in Romanian waters;
now it has happened in Bulgarian waters. This is exactly what the Russians are
planning — to constantly increase the escalation,” the president said.
Earlier the same day, drones had attacked two cargo vessels
in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. The ALFA WATAN sank, while a fire broke
out aboard the ABLE. According to Romania’s Interior Ministry, two people were
killed. Both vessels are owned by Turkish companies. Bulgarian media reported
that it was the first known drone attack on vessels in the country’s exclusive
economic zone.