Defense Committee

Amid growing concerns over security in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine, Bulgaria's Acting Minister of Defense, Atanas Zapryanov, has addressed the issue of conscription, stating that while it is being discussed, no political decision has been reached as of yet.

In a departure from tradition, Bulgaria has announced the cancellation of the annual military parade featuring equipment and personnel on May 6, the Day of Courage and the Bulgarian Army. The decision was communicated by the Acting Minister of Defense, Atanas Zapryanov, citing the overlap of the Easter holidays with St. George's Day and the Day of Courage and the Bulgarian Army.

Day 703 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Bulgaria to provide old anti-aircraft missile complexes and anti-aircraft missiles of different types to Ukraine, to be used to strengthen its counter-air defense. This was voted for by the Defense Committee at an extraordinary meeting. With 11 votes "in favor", 4 "against" and one "abstention", the draft decision was adopted by the committee.

The President's veto on the Law on the Ratification of the Agreement by which Bulgaria provides APCs to Ukraine free of charge was rejected by the Defense Committee. With 11 votes "for" and 4 "against", the deputies again supported the law.

With 11 votes "for" and 4 "against", the Defense Committee of the National Assembly adopted a draft decision on providing additional military aid to Ukraine.

It is proposed that Bulgaria donate malfunctioning anti-aircraft guided missiles and ammunition for automatic small arms that are no longer needed.

The Bulgarian government's intention to provide Ukraine with defective missiles for the S-300 missile complexes will not endanger the Bulgarian air defense.

With 10 votes "for" and 5 "against", the Defense Committee decided to provide Ukraine with 100 armored personnel carriers from the reserves of the Ministry of Internal Affairs which are no longer needed.

Defense Minister Todor Tagarev explained that in this case a military expertise will be required.

"We have problems with the maintenance of the MiG-29 fighter jets. We will rely on the MiG-29s until such time as air control duty can be taken over by the F-16s." This was stated by the Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev during his hearing in the Defense Committee of the National Assembly.

Volodymyr Zelensky handed over a list of armaments and ammunition needed by the Ukrainian army during his visit to Bulgaria yesterday. This was stated by the Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev before an extraordinary meeting of the Defense Committee early this morning in the Parliament.