President Yotova addresses drone incident near Kardam

Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova has addressed the recent incident involving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that entered Bulgarian airspace near Kardam. Expressing disappointment, Yotova stated that the incident is being subjected to "quite primitive political use" and emphasized that the primary priority remains the security of Bulgarian citizens.

The President is coordinating closely with the Council of Ministers and relevant security services to conduct a comprehensive investigation. Key questions to be answered include the drone's origin, its function, and whether its flight path was intentional or a deviation. Admiral Emil Eftimov, the Chief of Defense, has confirmed ongoing communication with Ukrainian and Romanian partners regarding the matter.

Yotova highlighted gaps in Bulgaria's current anti-drone capabilities and called for reforms to bolster defense systems. Furthermore, she proposed that Bulgaria should initiate a meeting among Black Sea nations, excluding Russia, to ensure the security of maritime routes and suggested that Bulgaria must participate in increased diplomatic pressure to seek a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.