Ukraine’s Ambassador Olesia Ilashchuk assured that Kyiv did not intentionally direct a drone towards Bulgaria, while the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed the fall of a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle, specifying that it was not a combat drone.
Unmanned aerial vehicle / © Pixabay
Ukraine did not intentionally send drones towards Bulgaria and is prepared to cooperate with the Bulgarian side to clarify all circumstances surrounding the crash and explosion of a Ukrainian UAV on the country’s territory.
This was stated by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Sofia, Olesia Ilashchuk, during a meeting with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel, the Bulgarian broadcaster BNT reports.
For her part, Gabriel expressed concern regarding the incident, noting that any unauthorized intrusion into Bulgarian airspace is unacceptable.
The minister indicated that Sofia has requested Kyiv to provide all available information that could contribute to a complete clarification of the circumstances of the drone’s flight into, crash, and subsequent explosion on Bulgarian territory.
The official also emphasized the necessity of “direct and effective” communication channels between the “competent” authorities of Bulgaria and Ukraine, informing that the Bulgarian side also maintains similar communication with the Romanian side.
Furthermore, Gabriel mentioned that she had informed the heads of the foreign ministries of EU member states about this incident and the actions taken regarding it.
She added that on August 12, an exchange of “the latest information on this matter” is also expected among NATO allies.
“Bulgaria will continue to consistently defend its sovereignty and the security of its citizens. Our country also remains consistent in its position that an end to hostilities and the achievement of a just and sustainable peace through diplomatic efforts are of paramount importance for security and stability in the region,” the minister concluded.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Demerdzhiev confirmed to journalists that it was a Ukrainian drone, but it was not a combat drone.
“This is a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. It is not a combat drone for attack, but a drone designed to work with other UAVs,” Novinite quotes the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to him, expert examinations are already being conducted as part of the investigation into the incident. He did not provide any further details.
Drone Crash in Bulgaria: Latest News
We remind you that discussions are ongoing in Bulgaria regarding a drone, likely associated with Ukraine, which exploded in the country’s airspace near Kardam. The President of Bulgaria, Iliana Yotova, stated that she expects reports from special services to establish the origin and circumstances of the incident, and the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Ukraine’s Ambassador Olesia Ilashchuk.
It should be noted that the unmanned aerial vehicle that exploded in Bulgaria on August 8 near the former Kardam border crossing is most likely a “Maya” decoy drone. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Georgiy Tychy, assured that the Ukrainian Defense Forces did not intentionally direct any assets towards Bulgaria.
The drone discovered near the Bulgarian border may have lost its course due to electronic warfare.
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