site.btaDemocratic Bulgaria Condemns Russian Strike near Kyiv

In a statement released to the media on Monday, Democratic Bulgaria strongly condemned the latest large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine, including the reported use of the Oreshnik ballistic missile near Kyiv. The coalition urged President Iliana Iotova and the government to issue an unequivocal condemnation of the Russian strike and the deployment of Oreshnik as an escalation against both Ukraine and Europe.

According to Democratic Bulgaria, the attack represents yet another act of terror against civilians, a demonstrative escalation of the war, and a direct challenge to European security. The coalition stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to show that he is not seeking peace, adding that strikes on residential areas, public buildings, cultural institutions, and critical infrastructure constitute war crimes and a systematic policy of intimidation.

The statement further argues that the use of an Oreshnik-type missile, which can reportedly carry nuclear warheads, is not only an attack on Ukraine but also a political signal to the European Union that requires a unified and firm response.

Democratic Bulgaria voiced full solidarity with the Ukrainian people and Ukraine’s right to defend its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It welcomed the clear positions of European leaders and governments that described the attack as a dangerous escalation, and insisted that Bulgaria should be among the countries that speak clearly, act consistently, and push for a stronger European response.

The coalition also criticized what it described as the silence of the governing authorities, linking it to the government’s refusal to support a resolution of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe establishing the basis for a future Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. It further raised questions directed at Prime Minister Rumen Radev on whether Russia is considered an aggressor.

Democratic Bulgaria described as “inadequate” the prime minister’s argument that such a tribunal would be unnecessary because Vladimir Putin cannot be arrested and Russia has not been defeated militarily, pointing to historical precedents such as Slobodan Milošević being brought before international justice without a military capitulation.

The statement also referenced remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said that Russia struck the city of Bila Tserkva in Kyiv region with a medium-range ballistic missile Oreshnik. According to Zelenskyy, the attack left at least four people dead and 83 injured, involving hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles.