site.btaDefence Minister Reports One-Year Fuel Reserves for Army, Low Stocks of Naval Fuel

The army has sufficient petrol and diesel for one year, but naval fuel stocks stand at 37%, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said during a hearing at the National Assembly’s Defence Committee on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov convened a Security Council meeting on the selection of a special commercial administrator who will oversee Lukoil Bulgaria, while during parliamentary Question Time Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev noted that talks with the United States in the days leading up to November 21 were critical, as US sanctions on the Russian companies Lukoil and Rosneft and their overseas assets are due to take effect.

“Our involvement is very limited,” Zapryanov said when asked about the actions of the State Agency National Security, the Interior Ministry and the Defence Ministry regarding Lukoil. “We deployed one anti-drone system to monitor the airspace. We are ready to provide security support if the Interior Ministry decides it is needed. We will join mixed teams if required. Military police will not act alone. There is one additional backup option if necessary – the use of special forces,” he added.