Bulgaria
Journalist Michael Weiss suggested that John Ratcliffe may have come to Moscow to warn Russia against escalating against Europe and NATO. He linked this to GRU and drone activity.
According to media reports, Russia is recruiting local gangs to carry out sabotage at defense companies in Europe, thereby avoiding direct responsibility. NATO is stepping up its response to hybrid attacks.
The President enacted the NSDC decision on sanctions against Yuriy Ivanyushchenko. The restrictions include asset freezes and a ban on transactions.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto dismissed speculation about Russia's involvement in the explosion at the KNDS Ammo Italy plant in Colleferro. The incident occurred on August 13; there were no casualties.
Specialized teams from the Bulgarian Navy found a reconnaissance drone and its fragments on beaches near Primorsko and Lozenets. The fragments were transported to naval bases for examination.
The European Broadcasting Union has updated the Eurovision rules, according to which the winning country automatically loses the right to host the contest in the event of an armed conflict or geopolitical tensions. An alternative host will be determined after a security assessment.
The Ambassador of Ukraine stated that the Defense Forces did not direct drones toward Bulgaria. Ukraine is open to cooperation in the investigation of the incident that occurred on August 8.
Explosions occurred at the EMKO factory in the village of Belitsa after a truck caught fire. There are no casualties; the evacuation of personnel is ongoing, and the BG-ALERT system has been activated.
Kyiv bought 70 M39 ATACMS missiles, 12 M270 MLRS launchers and thousands of cluster munitions from Ankara. The transfer of the weapons will begin after the 15-day review of the deal by the U.S. Congress.
Bulgaria’s Defense Ministry said that the fragments of a drone near the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline likely belonged to a Ukrainian decoy drone called "Maya. " The ministry does not consider the incident intentional.
Turkey is restricting commercial vessel traffic to the Black Sea due to an increase in drone attacks. The restrictions apply to vessels heading to ports in Russia and Ukraine.
A drone of an undetermined type exploded in Bulgaria near the border with Romania. There were no casualties or damage, and an investigation is underway.
On August 6, Kyiv's Dynamo will face Azerbaijan's Qarabağ in the third qualifying round of the Conference League. Bookmakers consider the Ukrainian team the favorite, with odds of 2.16.
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy forecasts a grain storage deficit of up to 11 million tonnes by the end of autumn. Romania will help increase the capacity of the Port of Constanța and border crossing points.
Dimitar Stoyanov stated that the aircraft are needed only as a source of spare parts. The opposition accused the government of trying to pit Bulgaria's security against support for Ukraine.
Iran's Foreign Ministry warned the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, and Cyprus against the inadmissibility of using their territories for an attack. Iran reserves the right to legitimate defense in case of aggression.
Due to a critical drop in the water level of the Danube in Serbia, a sunken German warship from World War II has emerged. The vessel was discovered near the town of Prahovo amid a prolonged heatwave.
Deputy Minister of Defense of Poland stated that Ukraine provided a concrete proposal to exchange MiG-29 fighter jets for drones. A decision is expected within a maximum of a few weeks.
Bulgaria is considering the purchase of used F-16s or Gripens due to delays in new aircraft. Defense Express warns of potential competition for aircraft for Ukraine.
Kyiv Dynamo lost to PAOK with a score of 2:0 in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. The team will continue its performances in the third round of the Conference League.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized Bulgaria's approval of the US use of the Bezmer airbase. Bulgaria stated that it would not participate in the conflict.
In Bulgaria, due to an abnormally low water level in the Danube, mammoth bones were discovered. Among the remains are a femur, a lower jaw, and tusks.
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that negotiations with Ukraine are ongoing, but time is running out. In exchange for the aircraft, Warsaw wants to obtain cooperation in the production of drones.
Germany, France and Portugal opposed the ban on imports of Russian pollock, while Greece blocked stricter restrictions on gas transit. The sanctions did not affect Patriarch Kirill due to Bulgaria's position.
One of the NATO allies has approached Poland regarding MiG-29 fighters. Deputy Minister of Defence Paweł Zalewski confirmed this, emphasizing the priority of negotiations with Ukraine.
Iran warned Bulgaria that the deployment of American refueling aircraft at the Bezmer air base would be regarded as complicity in aggression. The Bulgarian parliament approved the government's proposal for the temporary stationing of US military equipment.
The Bulgarian parliamentary committee supported the deployment of up to eight US tanker aircraft and 250 military personnel. Iran warned about the inadmissibility of assisting US military operations.
India summoned a Russian diplomat, condemning the attack on the vessel MV Golden Leo, which resulted in the deaths of four Indian sailors. New Delhi emphasized the unacceptability of strikes on civilian shipping.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha met with a delegation of representatives from 23 OSCE countries. He emphasized the need to release the Ukrainian SMM OSCE staff members whom Russia has been holding since 2022.
Kyiv's "Dynamo", if they advance past PAOK, will face the winner of the pair "Hammarby" – "Anderlecht". "LNZ" and "Polissya" have also learned their potential opponents in the Conference League.