Bulgaria marks 82nd anniversary of military paratroopers' combat debut

Bulgaria is observing the Paratrooper Day on October 18, marking the 82nd anniversary of the first combat deployment of the Parachute Company in 1944. The historical event took place during the battle at Strazhin, where the unit participated in active combat operations.

In a congratulatory address, Colonel Sirmo Sirmov of the Union of Bulgarian Paratroopers honored the fallen soldiers and recognized the professionalism of current Special Forces personnel, veterans, and sports paratroopers. The 1944 mission resulted in 35 deaths and 65 injuries.

Since the 1950s, systematic training for Bulgarian paratroopers has evolved through specialized centers in Dolna Mitropolia and Plovdiv. Today, these elite units are integrated into the 68th Special Forces Brigade and the Joint Special Intervention Command, participating in NATO exercises and specialized anti-terrorist interventions.