The Bulgarian Defense Ministry has sent a request to NATO for anti-drone systems to protect commercial vessels from attacks in the Black Sea, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said on Friday.

"We have requested the full range of capabilities available - anti-drone systems and patrol aircraft," Stoyanov was quoted as saying by the BTA news agency.

It will at least become a display of power in the Bulgarian waters, the minister said. He also noted that Bulgaria has deployed surveillance and response equipment, as well as maritime monitoring systems in the region.

The minister said that he plans to hold a meeting with the Turkish and Romanian defense ministers soon to develop a common strategy on actions in the Black Sea.

On Tuesday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said that two vessels had come under drone attack in the Black Sea, not far from the country's shores, with one of them sinking.

@Sputnik