site.btaRSV 421 to Reach Bosphorus Strait on Thursday

The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) is expected to reach the Bosphorus Strait in Turkiye on Thursday, the ship's Commander, Captain Radko Muevski, told the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

She departed from Varna on Wednesday on its fifth expedition to Antarctica as part of the 35th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition. The ceremonial military send-off for the vessel took place at Varna's Maritime Station.

"We expect to be in the area of the Bosphorus Strait at around 6-7 a.m. on November 5," Muevski said. "We will pass through the Bosphorus in the morning and, by around 9 a.m., or 10 a.m. at the latest, we expect to anchor at the southernmost entrance to the Bosphorus, where we will refuel."

In the evening, RSV 421 is expected to continue her journey towards the Dardanelles Strait through the Sea of Marmara and enter the Aegean Sea, from where she will head for Antalya to take part in this year's edition of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31).

The vessel set course for Antarctica to help provide logistical support for the latest Bulgarian polar expedition and the research activities at the Bulgarian St Kliment Ohridski Base on Livingston Island. The Naval Academy in Varna emphasized that the mission of RSV 421 is essential for developing Bulgaria's presence in the polar regions, conducting scientific research and establishing the country as an active participant in international Antarctic cooperation.

A national press club of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) has been operating on board RSV 421 since 2022. Representatives of the media are also taking part in its fifth expedition. They are reporter Simona-Alex Mihaleva and photojournalist Milena Stoykova, who will remain on board Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii until the vessel reaches Antalya.