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Ukraine on Saturday denied targeting Bulgaria after a drone exploded near the strategic Trans-Balkan gas pipeline close to the Romanian border.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhyi confirmed that Kyiv remains in close contact with Sofia to clarify the situation, emphasising that Ukrainian forces did not intentionally direct any assets toward Bulgarian territory and placing ultimate blame on Russia’s invasion.
The incident occurred near the Kardam border crossing, roughly 1,000 metres from a key gas compressor station, where the drone crashed into a sunflower field and detonated with significant force.
Bulgaria’s defence ministry identified the craft as a type widely used by Ukrainian forces, prompting the foreign minister to summon Ukraine’s ambassador for a Monday meeting.
However, defence officials noted that debris analysis shows no evidence of a deliberate attack.
The explosion marks the latest instance of drone activity spilling into NATO territory along the Black Sea region.
In response, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the government will redeploy troops and boost border surveillance to counter incoming aerial threats.
Bulgaria, which halted military aid to Ukraine in June, urged diplomatic efforts to end the broader conflict.
