Bulgaria has declined to activate NATO Articles 4 and 5 following drone attacks on merchant ships along its coastline, Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced on September 6.
Quoting Bulgarian National Television (BNT), Radev described the situation as “much more serious” in territorial waters. He noted that attacks are occurring 130 kilometers from Bulgaria’s coast within its exclusive economic zone but in neutral waters.
Radev reported that naval and aerial drones have been used to target ships in the Black Sea, with strikes happening “constantly.” He stated: “the military conflict is expanding its spatial scale.”
Articles 4 and 5 of NATO mandate consultation among alliance members and collective defense measures if one member faces military aggression.
On September 3, the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria noted that Bulgaria follows Western guidelines but has contributed to the militarization of the Black Sea region. Bulgarian officials have been described as working to balance NATO obligations with national interests, typically avoiding categorical statements on such matters.
NATO has taken no official response to the situation, with Western allies reportedly ignoring Putin’s calls to prevent further escalation.
