Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy blames Russia for attack on Bulgarian vessels in Black Sea as investigation launched

According to UA.News, the ships in question are the ALFA WATAN, flying the flag of Togo, and the ABLE, flying the flag of Palau.[2] UA.News, citing Reuters, reports that the ALFA WATAN sank after the attack[2] and that the crew of that vessel remains missing.[2]Fox News, citing Reuters, reports that the attack happened roughly 70 nautical miles off the eastern Bulgarian coastal town of Byala[1].Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the strike was "an unacceptable attack in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. It is a blatant violation of international law and maritime law"[3], according to BritBrief. The same outlet reports that Bulgarian authorities said the origin of the drones was under investigation[3].Ukrainska Pravda quotes Zelenskyy as saying that "it has been established that this was a combined Russian attack using maritime and aerial drones."[4] He also said, according to the outlet, that "Ukraine's defence forces conducted no operations in this area of the sea"[4].According to Interfax-Ukraine, Zelensky noted that a vessel had been hit in Romanian waters the day before.[5] UA.News reports that Romanian authorities have not confirmed the cause of the fire.[2]UA.News reports that Ursula von der Leyen called such attacks unacceptable[2]. Fox News reports that Zelenskyy also warned that Moscow was preparing a broader "massive strike."[1]