Bulgarian MP Ivaylo Mirchev urges Western fighter jets, warns against MiG‑29 purchase

On July 29‑30, 2026, Ivaylo Mirchev, co‑chair of the "Yes, Bulgaria" party, told journalists in the parliamentary chamber that Bulgaria should not become a “graveyard for Soviet aircraft.” He said the government’s plan to acquire Polish MiG‑29 fighters – with limited remaining flight hours – is unsuitable while the country is re‑arming with NATO‑compatible platforms. Mirchev advocated buying Western aircraft, such as older F‑16s or other NATO‑approved jets, and urged that the eight F‑16 Block 70s already ordered be brought into combat service.

Mirchev also announced that his party will request a parliamentary hearing of Economy Minister Alexander Pulev after receiving letters from the United Kingdom and the United States questioning whether Lukoil Neftochim Burgas processes Russian crude oil masked as Kazakh‑stani product. He cited multiple British government letters and a U.S. OFAC questionnaire, urging transparency so the public can assess possible sanctions breaches.