Bulgaria will provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with heavy equipment for the first time – 100 armored personnel carriers
For the first time, the Bulgarian parliament agreed to transfer armored vehicles of the Soviet model to Ukraine. Pro-Russian forces called the decision "shameful and treacherous."
On Friday, July 21, the Bulgarian Parliament approved the provision of about 100 armored personnel carriers (APCs) to Ukraine. This is the first time Bulgaria has agreed to provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) with heavy equipment, AFP notes.
Back in the 1980s, the Bulgarian government purchased various Soviet-made APCs, but they were never used. “Bulgaria no longer needs this equipment, and it can become a serious support for Ukraine in its struggle to preserve its independence and territorial integrity after the unjustified and unprovoked Russian aggression,” the parliamentary decision reads.
It was supported by 148 deputies, while 52 voted against it. Kostadin Kostadinov, the leader of the pro-Russian Revival party, called the decision “treacherous and shameful.” The Bulgarian Socialist Party also strongly opposed the bill.
One assistance package and indirect sales
So far, Bulgaria has directly provided Ukraine with only one military aid package, which included mostly helmets and bulletproof vests.
Bulgaria, a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO), has a large number of Soviet weapons in storage and produces ammunition for them, but remains close to Moscow and has disagreements over military aid to Ukraine.
According to media reports, the former Bulgarian government led by Kirill Petkov sold weapons to Ukraine through intermediaries. Subsequent interim governments appointed by President Rumen Radiev opposed direct arms supplies to Kyiv.
Todor Tagarev, the defense minister of the new pro-European government that came to power in June, said he favored changing this policy and starting direct arms sales to Ukraine. According to media reports, the country is already preparing a new batch of military aid to Ukraine, including weapons and ammunition.
