The discovery of a Russian Gerbera-2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast marks another incident highlighting the spillover effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war into the Black Sea region. Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the drone was found on a beach near Cape Shabla, apparently after falling into the sea and being washed ashore by the waves. Bulgarian Navy personnel examined the aircraft and destroyed it at the site. No explosives were found on board.

 

At approximately 10:00 a.m. on 6 November 2026, the duty officer of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior received a report that an unmanned aerial vehicle had been discovered on a beach north of the Cape Shabla lighthouse, on the country’s northeastern coast. The object was located approximately 800 metres from the lighthouse. Following the report and a decision by the Chief of Defence, a specialised team from the Varna Naval Base was deployed on the orders of the Deputy Commander of the Bulgarian Navy.

Military personnel examined the site and determined that the drone had most likely fallen into the sea before being washed ashore by the waves. Following the inspection, specialists identified the aircraft as a Russian Gerbera-2 drone. The Ministry of Defence noted that no identification markings or inscriptions were visible on its body.

The inspection established that the aircraft contained no explosive material. Bulgarian Navy personnel subsequently neutralised the drone at the site, observing all necessary safety precautions.

Initial reports by Bulgarian media suggested that the discovered aircraft might have belonged to the Shahed family of drones. However, the official identification provided by the Ministry of Defence ruled out this possibility: the object was identified as a Russian Gerbera-2.

The Gerbera-2 is a Russian unmanned aerial platform used for various purposes, including reconnaissance, surveillance and serving as a decoy to complicate air defence operations. Such systems form part of the broader range of unmanned technologies employed in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the western Black Sea. In recent weeks, reports of drone attacks on commercial vessels near the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania have raised concerns. These developments have heightened the focus of Black Sea littoral states on the security of maritime transport routes, the protection of port infrastructure, and the monitoring of the air and maritime environment.

 

Although Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence has not reported any direct threat to the country’s territory or any deliberate violation of its airspace, the appearance of a Russian drone on the Bulgarian coast highlights the extent to which the consequences of military operations in the region can affect states that are not directly involved in the conflict. As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, ensuring security in the Black Sea is becoming an increasingly important priority for Bulgaria, Romania and their NATO allies.

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07.11.2026 06:34