Bulgaria decided on Friday to send around 100 armoured vehicles to Ukraine, a first for the Balkan country, which has hitherto been reluctant to help Kyiv directly, due to its strong historical ties with Moscow.
Parliament approved by a large majority (148 in favour, 52 against) this proposal by the new pro-European government, which has initiated a new strategy after previous interim governments keen not to interfere in the conflict.
The Soviet-designed BTR armoured personnel carriers, purchased in the 1980s, have never been used.
“Bulgaria no longer needs this equipment, which can provide valuable support to Ukraine in its battle to preserve its independence and territorial integrity” from Russia, according to the text of the motion.
The socialists of the PSB, heir to the communist party that once ruled the country, opposed the decision, as did the young pro-Russian ultra-nationalist formation Vazrajdane (Renaissance), which denounced it as “a betrayal and a disgrace.”
Bulgaria, an EU and NATO member, has a large stockpile of Soviet equipment and weapons and also produces munitions. In fact, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky went to Sofia at the beginning of July to discuss speeding up deliveries.
Since that visit, the government has announced an unprecedented aid package, presumably including arms and shells, although it has declined to provide details as the subject is so divisive in the country.
In practice, however, arms factories have been running at full capacity since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Exports from the industry have surged, according to data from the Economy Ministry, with goods being transported via third countries before reaching Ukraine.
