Ukraine denies targeting Bulgaria, as drone explodes near pipeline

Ukraine has denied allegations that it targeted Bulgaria, following a drone explosion near a strategic gas pipeline on Saturday. The incident occurred close to the Romanian border, in the northeastern region of Bulgaria. Bulgaria's defense ministry stated that the drone was of a type commonly used by the Ukrainian military, and the country's foreign minister summoned the Ukrainian ambassador for a meeting on Monday to discuss the matter.

Kyiv claimed to be in close contact with Bulgaria to investigate the incident, which is the latest in a series of drones straying into NATO airspace as Ukraine fights against Russia's invasion. Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesperson, Georgiy Tykhyi, affirmed that Ukrainian armed forces did not intentionally direct any assets towards Bulgaria, blaming Russia's invasion for the incident.

Although the explosion did not result in any casualties, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev reported that the drone carried a "significant" amount of explosives. The drone crashed in a sunflower field near the Kardam border crossing with Romania, approximately 1,000 meters from the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline's compressor station. Bulgarian border police reported hearing the drone and later witnessing a loud explosion accompanied by black smoke.

Neither Bulgaria nor Romania detected the drone before its explosion. The incident highlights the growing frequency of drone incursions in Eastern European NATO member countries supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Recently, Romania has experienced frequent drone incursions, even expelling a Russian embassy staff member in July.

In response to the latest incident, Bulgaria has intensified its surveillance and plans to deploy additional troops and soldiers to its borders to detect and neutralize drones using anti-drone measures.

Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey all border the Black Sea, an area where both Ukraine and Russia have been engaged in drone warfare. On Tuesday, Turkish officials reported that a drone attack the previous day on two civilian vessels in the Black Sea had injured crew members, expressing deep concern about the escalating conflict in the water.

In June, Bulgaria halted its military aid to Ukraine, citing its stance that the country does not belong in the coalition of Kyiv's allies providing arms and favoring diplomatic efforts to end the war.