The Bulgarian sailors from the ship Tzarevna, stranded in the port of Mariupol, Ukraine, evacuated all by themselves, with no help from the Bulgarian authorities, the wives of the crew members stated. According to them, their husbands made the decision to leave the vessel themselves, and sought out soldiers from the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic who helped them, BNR-Varna reports.

Earlier today, Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov said the ship’s crew were in a secure place. “This is a vivid demonstration that the state institutions are working, and I would like to take this opportunity to state my admiration for all institutions involved in this process,” he said.