ALFA WATANverschrottet
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No further investigations after attacks on cargo ships in Bulgarian EEZ
No new operations were planned to investigate the 'Alfa Watan', the Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said on Oct 12. Bulgaria would again like the NATO to assist with radar equipment in the defense of the Black Sea for increased surveillance of the airspace in order to have situational awareness. On Oct 9, two paratroopers were dropped off on the 'Able' in a 30-minute operation, following which no drone debris had been found. Bulgaria’s government has declined to apportion blame for the attack on the vessels, in spite of the widespread belief that the only likely culprit was Russia. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said on Oct 12 that Bulgaria was doing everything necessary and possible so that its maritime border was reliably protected and serving as a benchmark as the external border of the European Union and the Eastern Flank of the NATO. The Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said that the Black Sea should be considered not only as a regional issue, but also as a concern for all EU and NATO countries.
Frigate to investigate attack site off Cape Emine
The Bulgarian Navy has sent the frigate 'Verni' to the area of the Black Sea where the 'Able' and 'Alfa Watan' were attacked. On Oct 8, the 'Verdi' established the location and condition of the 'Able' and planned to inspect it, including for dangerous debris. However, an exact timetable for further actions has not been announced, while the ship was drifting 55 nautical miles northeast of Cape Emine. On Oct 7, Bulgaria had called off the search for the crew of the 'Alfa Watan', among them nine Syrians and one Egyptian, prompting Syria to send a diplomatic note to Bulgaria requesting an independent investigation into the incident and an explanation as to why the search for survivors was called off less than 24 hours after the attack. Only three life rafts and a lifeboat were found, but no trace of the sailors. A minimal pollution was found in the area of the incident. Kosta Andreev, the chairman of the volunteer association BULSAR and former deputy commander of the Navy, stated on Oct 9 that the crew’s chances of survival were extremely small after the first hours. The duration of the search was determined according to the specific area, weather conditions and the probability of finding living people. The water in the area of the incident was estimated to be around 18-20 degrees. The 'Alfa Watan' sank at a water depth of about 2000 metres, so that that specialised equipment, including remotely operated devices, would be needed for the investigation. Before the start of the operation, preliminary studies must be carried out, the location of the sinking must be specified, and a suitable vessel and equipment must be provided. There was no pollution of the sea water with oil products near the Bulgarian coast after the incidents. A special inspection was carried out by order of the Environment Minister Rositsa Karamfilova. Sea water samples were taken in the areas of Cape Kaliakra, Byala and Sozopol. The purpose of the inspection was to establish the current state of the sea waters in these areas and the presence of any possible pollution related to the incident. Ukraine’s Defence Forces conducted no operations in that area of the sea, and the attack was regarded as another part of Russia’s effort to make the western Black Sea completely unfit for navigation. The Ukrainian Navy contacted its counterparts in Bulgaria, and it has been established that the attack was a combined Russian attack using maritime and aerial drones.
Attacks on two freighters to be investigated
After the attacks on the 'Alfa Watan' and 'Able', the Bulgarian security services were investigating whether the drones that struck the two ships in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea were of Russian or Ukrainian origin. In this regard, Bulgaria has requested assistance from international organisations to examine the 'Alfa Watan' with an underwater drone. The ship had a mainly Syrian crew and was transporting wheat. It sank within approximately three minutes. This meant that it either suffered extensive damage from the impact or was carrying an explosive cargo. It was hoped that the 'Able', which had remained afloat as of Oct 7 despite severe damages, could also be examined as soon as possible. Partner countries were asked to provide information and satellite images of the incident area. The National Security Consultative Council called on both countries involved in the war to refrain from attacks on merchant ships. The Syrian Seafarers' Union appealed for assistance in contacting a family member of Mahmoud Abdel-Aati, an Egyptian sailor missing since the loss of the 'Alfa Watan'. The Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs called on the International Maritime Organization and Bulgarian authorities to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the 'Alfa Watan' and demanded clarification regarding the reasons for halting search and rescue operations for its missing crew.
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