site.btaDefence Minister: Bulgaria Has Taken Steps to Strengthen Airspace Monitoring to Northeast

“We have taken steps to strengthen the monitoring of our airspace to the Northeast, and following a decision by the Chief of Defence, a re-deployment of forces and resources is already underway,” said Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov in a televised interview on Sunday.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov also said earlier in the day that measures have been taken to protect Bulgarian airspace, particularly in the northeastern part of the country.

A drone violated Romania’s airspace on Saturday during a Russian attack against Ukraine, the Romanian Ministry of Defence reported. Earlier in the day, Poland announced that it had scrambled fighter jets in a "preventive" operation due to the threat of drone strikes in nearby Ukrainian regions.

“Poland’s response was very appropriate,” said Zapryanov.

Earlier this week, the Polish Air Force, with the assistance of Dutch fighter jets, destroyed more than ten drones that had entered Polish airspace during a midnight Russian attack on Ukraine. Subsequently, Poland invoked consultations under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty.

Article 4 allows any NATO member to call consultations when they feel their territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.

 “This action prompted NATO’s response and Poland’s request for Article 4 consultations, which took place,” Zapryanov explained.

 “The consultations ended with a condemnation of Russia’s actions, and NATO responded with specific measures -  the launch of Operation ‘Eastern Guard’, under which additional air defence and anti-drone forces will be deployed in all NATO member states bordering Ukraine.”

The defence minister emphasized that the military measures taken by NATO show that the Alliance is taking the situation seriously, and such provocations are unacceptable.

“Moscow is trying to demonstrate that it is firmly pursuing its strategic goals in Ukraine and is not ready for negotiations,” said Zapryanov.

He also stated that MiG-29 fighter jets are on standby and ready to engage such threats with firepower if necessary.

“We’ve had incidents where Russian military aircraft turned off their transponders, and we had to identify them by scrambling our own jets or those of NATO,” Zapryanov said.

“People should stay calm. We are taking action, NATO is taking action, and monitoring will be strengthened.”

Regarding the drone that washed up on the North Beach in Burgas a few days ago, the minister explained: “These are drones that were conducting missions, fell into the sea, and were carried by the current to our shores.”

Zapryanov reiterated that there is a parliamentary decision that Bulgaria will not send troops to Ukraine.

“According to the current three-year projections, Bulgaria is expected to allocate 2.36% of its GDP to defence spending by 2026,” the minister said.

He also commented on the fifth vote of no confidence against the government. “I am not worried. The stability of Bulgaria, the existence of a functioning, democratically elected government and parliament, and a parliamentary majority are crucial for the country’s defence,” Zapryanov concluded.