Byala (Varna Province)
Black Sea coastal town in Bulgaria's Varna Province.
Drones hit the Ukrainian-owned cargo ship Chelsea 3 about 18 nautical miles off Byala, a resort in Bulgaria's Varna Province, on the night of 12-13 October 2026, and all 15 crew survived. On 6 October the Alfa Watan had sunk 70 nautical miles out.
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Who launched the drones that hit Chelsea 3 off Byala?
Timeline for Byala (Varna Province)
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Russia-Ukraine War 2026Background
Byala is a small Black Sea resort town in Bulgaria's Varna Province, about 50 km south of Varna, with about 2,200 residents in 2022.
Its stretch of sea saw two drone attacks on merchant ships within a week in October 2026. On 6 October drones sank the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan about 70 nautical miles off the town, and its ten crew were lost. On the night of 12-13 October the Malta-flagged Chelsea 3 was struck about 18 nautical miles offshore; its seven Ukrainian and eight Azerbaijani sailors all survived.
No party has claimed the attacks. Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the outcome benefits Russia but that Bulgaria lacked the evidence to accuse anyone. On 16 October Sofia asked NATO for air defence and counter-drone systems to cover its coast.
Where is Byala in Bulgaria?
What happened off Byala in October 2026?
Who attacked ships off Bulgaria in October 2026?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 18 October 2026. Editorial standards.