site.btaDefence Minister Denies that Bulgaria Has Supplied Ukraine with Naval Mines

Bulgaria has not supplied Ukraine with naval mines, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said here on Friday. Addressing Parliament, he took a question from Ivelin Parvanov MP of Vazrazhdane about the military aid provided to Ukraine and the situation with the defence of Bulgaria's Black Sea coast.

Stoyanov specified that the specific types of military aid provided to Ukraine constitute information classified as confidential. The aid is provided implementing National Assembly resolutions and Council of Ministers decisions and based on agreements between the two countries' defence ministries. 

The Minister said that Bulgaria has supplied Ukraine with anti-aircraft defence means as part of various military aid packages. He added that, if necessary, detailed information can be made available according to the procedure established by the Classified Information Protection Act.

Parvanov raised issues related to the safety of the Black Sea coast, military incidents in the region, and the presence of foreign military forces in Bulgarian territory. He voiced concerns regarding possible risks to civilian installations and the security of shipping.

Stoyanov said that Bulgaria has the capabilities necessary for the protection of the airspace and the Black Sea coast, adding that this country continues to control its airspace by its own resources, including MiG-29 fighters and air defence crews on standby.

In connection with the explosion of a naval drone in the Romanian port of Constanta on Friday morning, the Defence Minister said that a Bulgarian helicopter is airborne at this very moment, reconnoitering the Bulgarian maritime space. "Rest assured that Bulgaria continues to protect its airspace on its own. There is no doubt that we will be safeguarding our sky," Stoyanov pointed out.