Bulgaria denies claims of troop involvement in Ukraine conflict

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Bulgaria’s defense minister on Friday firmly denied allegations that Bulgarian servicemen are participating in the Ukraine conflict, saying there is no evidence to support such claims, according to local media.

Responding to a parliamentary inquiry by Ivelin Parvanov, a lawmaker from the far-right, pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party, Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov said that the Bulgarian Defense Ministry has no information about any active-duty troops or voluntary reservists involved in fighting on either side of the war.

He emphasized that Bulgarian military personnel are prohibited from holding other public offices or employment unless explicitly permitted by law, and reiterated that only the Bulgarian parliament has the authority to approve the deployment of troops abroad, adding that no such decision has been made.

Zapryanov also reaffirmed Sofia’s official position that Bulgarian troops will not be sent to Ukraine, aligning with a parliamentary declaration adopted in late February, which clearly stated opposition to any participation by Bulgarian armed forces in combat operations on Ukrainian territory.