site.btaNo Bulgarian Troops in Ukraine, Defence Minister Zapryanov Reaffirms

The Ministry of Defence has no information about Bulgarian servicemen, whether in active military service or the voluntary reserve, taking part on either side of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said during Question time here on Friday.

Zapryanov said this in response to a question regarding media reports of Bulgarian military servicemen allegedly involved in fighting near Chasiv Yar and Krasnoarmiisk [the former name of Pokrovsk]. The question was raised by Vazrazhdane MP Ivelin Parvanov.

Bulgarian military servicemen are not allowed to hold any other state office unless permitted by law, nor can they work under labour contracts. Only the National Assembly can authorise the deployment and use of the armed forces outside Bulgaria, and no such decision has been made, Zapryanov said.

Zapryanov has repeatedly said that Bulgarian troops will not be sent to Ukraine.

In late February, Parliament adopted a declaration expressing the position of the 51st National Assembly against the participation of Bulgarian armed forces in military actions on Ukrainian territory.