US military aircraft land at Sofia's Vasil Levski Airport

Two American Lockheed C-130 military transport aircraft landed at Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia early in the morning. The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the aircraft are on a temporary stay under a blanket annual diplomatic permit.

Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov addressed the presence of the aircraft, stating, “There is no risk to our national security at the moment.” He explained that such landings are part of standard international aviation traffic and are permitted for purposes such as refueling, crew rest, or addressing technical issues. Stoyanov noted that while such procedures are not new, public interest has increased following the recent presence of tanker aircraft in the country.

The minister emphasized that the aircraft operate under international rules and that the diplomatic clearance allows allied nations to use Bulgarian airports as needed. This follows previous instances of U.S. military aircraft, including a C-17 Globemaster, appearing at the civilian airport.