site.btaPresident Radev Calls for Regular Support for Bulgarian Air Force, Armed Forces

President Rumen Radev Saturday called for regular state support for the Bulgarian Air Force and the Bulgarian Armed Forces. He was speaking to reporters in Dolna Mitropoliya (Northern Bulgaria), where last respects were paid to Lieutenant Colonel Petko Dimitrov and Captain Ventsislav Dunkin. The two pilots died in the line of duty after their aircraft crashed near the Graf Ignatievo Air Base while practicing for an air show on September 13.

Dolna Mitropolia is home of an Air Base where Dimitrov and Dunkin served. 

“I would like to call for more attention to be paid to the Bulgarian Air Force and the Bulgarian Armed Forces,” the President said. He also called for “regular state support rather than political speculations prompted by elections or accidents”.

The head of State offered his condolences and sympathies to the relatives and colleagues of the pilots. “Today we are parting with two admirable pilots,” he said.

Asked about the investigation into the accident, Radev said that a committee has been appointed to look into the case. “I am firmly convinced that this committee and the prosecution service will carry out all necessary actions so that we have an objective investigation of this case," he added.

Radev said that the speculations must stop, adding that “we should wait until the competent committee has done its work so we can learn the actual facts”.