Drone Explodes Near Trans-Balkan Gas Pipeline; Ukraine Denies Targeting Bulgaria
A drone detonated near the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline at the Bulgarian-Romanian border, leading Ukraine to refute any deliberate attack on Bulgaria. This event took place on Saturday, close to the Kardam border-crossing with Romania, roughly 1,000 meters from the pipeline's compressor station. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev noted that the drone contained a 'significant' quantity of explosives, but no injuries were reported. Bulgaria's defense ministry identified the drone as one commonly used by the Ukrainian military, prompting the foreign minister to request a meeting with the Ukrainian ambassador on Monday. Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhyi emphasized that the Ukrainian Armed Forces did not target Bulgaria, attributing the incident to Russia's invasion. Kyiv is in active communication with Bulgarian officials to clarify the situation. This incident marks another case of a drone entering NATO airspace amid the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Key facts
- A drone exploded near the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline near the Bulgarian-Romanian border.
- The explosion occurred near the Kardam border-crossing, 1,000 meters from the pipeline's compressor station.
- Bulgarian PM Rumen Radev said the drone carried a 'significant' amount of explosives.
- No casualties were reported.
- Bulgaria's defence ministry said the drone was of a type widely used by the Ukrainian military.
- Bulgaria's foreign minister summoned the Ukrainian ambassador for a meeting on Monday.
- Ukraine denied intentionally targeting Bulgaria, blaming Russia's invasion.
- Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhyi said the Ukrainian Armed Forces did not intentionally direct assets toward Bulgaria.
Entities
Institutions
- Bulgarian defence ministry
- Ukrainian foreign ministry
- NATO
Locations
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Kardam
- Black Sea
- Trans-Balkan gas pipeline