We have taken action to strengthen the surveillance of our airspace in the northeastern direction, and by decision of the Chief of Defense, a maneuver of forces and means is already underway. This was said by Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov on bTV.
Measures have been taken to protect our airspace, especially in the northeastern part of the country, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said earlier today.
A drone violated Romanian airspace yesterday during a Russian attack on Ukraine, the Romanian Defense Ministry announced. Earlier in the day, Poland announced that it had raised fighter jets into the air for "preventive" operation due to the threat of drone strikes in nearby Ukrainian areas.
Poland's reaction was very adequate, said Atanas Zapryanov. Earlier this week, the Polish Air Force, with the help of Dutch fighter jets, destroyed more than ten drones that entered Polish airspace during the midnight Russian attack in Ukraine. Poland later requested consultations under Article 4 of the NATO treaty. Article 4 provides for consultations if a NATO member country believes that its territorial integrity, independence or security is threatened.
This action provoked NATO's reaction and Poland's request for consultations under Art. 4, which were held. The consultations ended with a condemnation of Russia's actions, and NATO responded with concrete measures – The implementation of Operation "Eastern Guard" begins, with which additional air defense and anti-drone forces will be deployed on the territory of all NATO countries bordering Ukraine, said Atanas Zapryanov. The military measures that NATO is taking show that we are taking this provocation seriously and it is unacceptable for this to continue, the minister added. According to him, Moscow aims to show that it is pursuing categorically strategic goals in Ukraine and is not ready to negotiate.
MiG-29 aircraft are prepared to fire on such targets, if necessary, said the military minister. We have had incidents in which Russian military aircraft turned off their transponders and we had to recognize them, raise our fighters or NATO fighters, said Zapryanov. People should be calm. We are taking measures, NATO is taking measures, surveillance will be intensified, the minister said.
These are drones that were carrying out certain missions, fell into the sea and the current brought them to our shore, said Atanas Zapryanov regarding the discovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle thrown out of the sea on the North Beach of Burgas a few days ago.
The minister once again reiterated that there is a decision of the National Assembly and our country will not send troops to Ukraine.
According to the current three-year forecasts, we should have 2.36% of the Gross Domestic Product for military spending in 2026, the minister said.
Atanas Zapryanov said that he is not worried about the fifth vote of no confidence against the government. The stability of Bulgaria and the presence of a functioning politically elected government and parliament, and a majority in this parliament, are key to the country's defense, the minister said.