site.btaAPCs Destinated for Ukraine Still in Bulgaria, to Leave within Fortnight - Chief of Defence
The armored personnel carriers (APC) destined for Ukraine are still in Bulgaria, it transpired from statements made by the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, and Defence Minister Todor Tagarev at a hearing held by the parliamentary Defence Committee on Wednesday.
On November 22, 2023, the National Assembly approved the provision to Ukraine of some 100 APCs and the corresponding armament and spare parts. A few days later, President Rumen Radev vetoed the resolution. On December 8, the National Assembly overrode the presidential veto and thus reconfirmed that this country will send the armoured vehicles that are no longer needed by the Bulgarian Interior Ministry.
The complicated operation has been in progress for two weeks now, Tagarev explained on Wednesday. The Bulgarian Armed Forces are facilitating the operation by transporting the APCs from their various locations across the country.
Until the end of next week, the APCs will be pooled in the area of Sofia and are expected to be transported by train during the week after next week, Admiral Eftimov told the MPs.
Companies are contracted within the Ramstein Format (Ukraine Defence Contact Group) to organize the APCs' transportation. "This stage is no longer in our hands, we perform support functions," the Defence Minister explained.
/KK/
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