Explosion at Bulgarian ammunition depot supplying Ukraine sparks massive fire, sabotage probe

"An explosion caused a large fire at a Bulgarian weapons storage facility operated by arms manufacturer EMCO overnight on Sept. 12, according to local authorities.
The blaze marks the second such incident at one of the company's sites in recent weeks.
The fire broke out near the village of Tsareva Livada in central Bulgaria and spread from one warehouse to another, Gabrovo Regional Governor Kristina Sidorova told journalists, as reported by the Bulgarian News Agency." KI

Bulgaria to seek removal of Russia's Patriarch Kirill from EU sanctions list

"Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said that his government will seek the removal of Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, from the EU's next sanctions package.
Radev made the remarks ahead of the European Council summit, where EU leaders are expected to discuss a new round of sanctions against Russia and continued support for Ukraine." KI

Albania on alert after US warning as Bulgaria confirms Iran diplomatic note

"After the United States Embassy in Albania warned that Iran-linked groups could target

Americans and US-affiliated entities in the Western Balkan country, authorities in Tirana stated that security institutions are on high alert, with all mechanisms “active and functional”.
In a statement issued Albanian President Bajram Begaj's office said he was in daily contact with the National Security Council and is being continuously briefed on all potential threats.
The response follows a warning from the US embassy that Tehran-backed groups may target not only US-related entities but also members of the Iranian opposition based in Albania.
At the same time, developments in Bulgaria point to broader regional tensions.
Authorities in Sofia have confirmed that Iran sent a diplomatic note last month warning the NATO member against allowing US military aircraft to use its airports for operations targeting Iran. The warning came after reports of US military planes being spotted in the capital." msn

Severe flood hits Elenite holiday village, Bulgaria

"A major flood hit the Elenite holiday village on Bulgaria’s

Black Sea coast at around 11:40 LT after 200–250 mm (7.9–9.8 inches) of rain fell in a short period. Environment Minister Manol Genov described the rainfall as among the most intense recorded in the region in recent years. At least three people died, and six women, including three Polish tourists, were rescued." W

EU Leaders Want 'Drone Wall' Protecting Eastern Flank From Russian Incursions

"European Union leaders are mulling a joint "drone wall" to boost Europe's defenses,

according to European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier from Brussels.
He previewed that EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius will participate in meeting representatives of seven frontline EU member states, listed as Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania - as cited in Bloomberg. The Ukrainian government is also expected to send representatives to the meeting." ZH

Ukraine's air defense hit hard: Critical S-300 system loss

"Ukrainians recently lost a critical air defense system in the Sumy region, which protected the airspace over the area facing the Kursk region.

Footage has surfaced online from a Russian drone showing elements of the Ukrainian S-300 air defense system battery in the Sumy region. It appears that either an Iskander-M ballistic missile or a Tornado-S system missile with a cluster warhead struck the S-300P system launcher. This is suggested by the large explosion in the air that preceded explosions on the ground. The Ukrainian launcher was completely destroyed, as indicated by the explosion of transported rockets and dense white smoke.
Although Ukrainians received an S-300P system battery from Slovakia and missiles for refurbishment from Bulgaria, these supplies are limited. The only other option would be Greece, which has repeatedly refused to transfer its stockpiles or manufacture new missiles with help from Western partners." MS

Over 2,600 UK Troops to Take Part in Exercises on NATO's Eastern Flank

"More than 2,600 UK troops and 730 vehicles will take part in exercises on NATO's eastern flank, the country's Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"Leading from the front, the UK is providing the largest contribution of forces with over 2600

personnel, and 730 vehicles deploying to NATO’s eastern flank," the ministry said.
According to the statement, the UK’s 1st Division will command all of NATO’s land forces during Exercise Steadfast Dart 25 in Bulgaria and Romania to practice the deployment of the new Allied Reaction Force, which can "rapidly reinforce" NATO’s eastern flank.
Russia has pointed to NATO's unprecedented activity near its western borders. The alliance is expanding its initiatives and says this is being done to contain "Russian aggression." The Kremlin has noted that Moscow is not threatening anyone, but will not ignore actions that are potentially dangerous to its interests." Sputnik

US military bases in Europe on high alert over possible terrorist threat

"Several US military bases in Europe were put on high alert this past weekend over a possible terror attack in the region that could target American personnel, according to multiple reports.

The alert is the second highest state of alarm issued by the US Army, and an American official at one of the bases said they hadn’t witnessed that level in at least a decade.
The US Army garrison in Stuttgart, Germany, where the US European Command has its headquarters, was one of many bases that raised its status to the alert level. Along with several facilities in Germany, US army bases in Italy, Romania and Bulgaria have also received the alert." NYP

Europe swings to the right — led by France

"Center-right and far-right parties are leading the way in the EU election.
Center-right and far-right parties are set to take the largest number of seats in Sunday’s European Union election in the most populous nations: Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland.

France led the rightward lurch with such a crushing victory for the far-right National Rally.
In Germany, the center-right is cruising to a comfortable victory, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) coming second and beating Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Socialists into third place.
In Italy, Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing party secured the most support, projected to be about 28 percent.
The far-right is also expected to win in Hungary, and picked up five more seats in the Netherlands. The center-right was comfortably first in Greece and Bulgaria." Politico

Coffins of ‘French soldiers in Ukraine’ left by Eiffel Tower

"Five life-size coffins draped with French flags and bearing the inscription “French soldiers in Ukraine” were found by the Eiffel Tower in Paris....Three foreign nationals have been arrested in connection with the incident, AFP reported, citing police sources, while a “foreign power” is suspected to be behind the affair. One of the suspects, a Bulgarian national who drove the van carrying the coffins and the other suspects, was detained in the area shortly after the discovery was made. Two others, said to be Ukrainian and German nationals, managed to flee the scene, yet were apprehended while attempting to board a train heading for Germany. Police believe three other foreign nationals were involved but apparently managed to escape the country." RT

NATO’s largest naval exercise commences in Romania with 12 allies

"Sea Shield 24, NATO’s largest multinational naval exercise, commenced in Romania, involving over 2,200 military personnel and 135 ships, aircraft, and vehicles from 12 Allies. Troops and military equipment from Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, the United States and Romania are taking part in the exercises." UP

Bulgarian president overrides parliament, blocks transfer of APCs for Ukraine's war effort

"Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has vetoed a bill passed by the legislature that would have allowed Ukraine to receive armored vehicles free of charge." UV

Are the Russians planning something? Bombers moved to one location

"The Air and Space Forces of the Russian Federation have been observed amassing long-range strategic bombers at the Engels Air Base in the Saratov Region. Using radar satellite images from November 13, the Bulgarian Military portal reports about the additional movements at the Engels air base. The strategic bomber Tu-95 MS, is a significant weapon in the Russian arsenal. Known as "bears," their value comes from their extraordinary range that exceeds 6,213.7 miles and their capacity to carry loads up to 22 tons. This heavy payload ability allows the Tu-95 MS to effortlessly transport missiles and bombs, including nuclear warheads, on intercontinental flights. These bombers' maximum altitude is nearly 39,370.1 feet, and they can reach speeds of approximately 516 mph." MS

Russian vessel with liquefied natural gas suffers breach near Bulgarian coast

"The ferry Slavyanin, sailing under the Russian flag, suffered a hull breach in the Black Sea near the Bulgarian Cape Shabla, informs the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine.

The vessel was transporting railroad tank cars with liquefied gas." AP

French jets join NATO drills in Romania to bolster defence

"French fighter jets taxied alongside the Romanian Air Force after thundering through the sky

above the Fetesti air base, as NATO bolsters its military presence in member country Romania, bordering Ukraine. NATO has also intensified its joint drills along the defense bloc's wider eastern flank -- which encompasses eight member countries -- spanning from Estonia and Latvia bordering Russia in the east to Romania and Bulgaria on the Black Sea." MS

Zelenskyy in public spat about the war with Bulgaria's pro-Russian president

"During his visit to Sofia Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had an argument with
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev about military aid for Ukraine and criticised Radev’s pro-Russian stance. The argument was captured on camera and broadcast on TV.

Radev said that there was "no military solution to this conflict" and that "more and more weapons hardly lead to that solution". Zelenskyy responded by asking what Radev would do if Russia invaded Bulgaria. Zelenskyy criticised Radev for using "conflict" rather than "war" to describe Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and brushed aside Radev’s suggestion of a diplomatic fix, explaining that military aid for Kyiv is a way for other countries, including Bulgaria, to ensure that "war does not come to you". Pravada

Bulgarian Farmers Resume Protests Over Cheap Ukrainian Grain

"Bulgarian farmers will hold a new protest to demand that the government stop allowing duty-free imports of cheap Ukrainian grain.....The four-hour protest will take place in the Bulgarian towns of Ruse and Kardam....3.5 million tonnes of Bulgarian wheat and 1 million tonnes of Bulgarian sunflower seeds are sitting in warehouses at the moment." Sputnik

Leader of NATO Bulgaria Says No Warplanes, Missiles, or Tanks for Ukraine

"The leader of Bulgaria, a European Union and NATO member-state, says his country will not
use its arsenal of Soviet-era warplanes, air defense missiles, and tanks to bolster the Ukrainian war machine.

President Rumen Radev says “Bulgaria does not support and is not part of the general order for the supply of shells to Ukraine” he said in reference to an EU joint procurement program." Breitbart

Deadly blast hits arms plant in Eastern Europe

"An explosion at a Bulgarian weapons factory has left at least three people dead and one other
injured, destroying much of the facility and prompting a full evacuation of the premises, according to local officials.

District prosecutors said the blast occurred at a plant run by weapons maker Arsenal in the city of Kazanlak. Though officials initially said the explosion had claimed the life of a 55-year-old man who worked at the factory, they have since confirmed the deaths of two female employees aged 53 and 43. One other woman remains in the hospital after suffering serious injuries in the explosion." RT

Russian who burned passport in Bulgaria over Ukraine war wins appeal against extradition

"A court in Bulgaria has today stopped the extradition of a Russian who burned his passport in protest at Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Alexey Alchin won his appeal against being sent back to Russia on what he claims are trumped-up tax evasion charges." EuroNews