Russian espionage and sabotage involving Bulgarian nationals

Allegations of Russian-linked intelligence operations involving Bulgarian nationals have emerged in the United Kingdom and Germany. In the UK, Bulgarian emigrants face accusations of espionage and planning a contract killing. In Germany, two Bulgarian nationals are accused of a GRU-directed task involving an incendiary device attack against a military contractor in Munich.

These incidents have drawn scrutiny toward the Bulgarian government’s response to Russian hybrid warfare. Following the discovery of an explosive-laden drone near Leipzig/Halle Airport, which German authorities linked to a Russian sabotage operation, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement of solidarity with Germany. However, critics, including Vesela Cherneva of the European Council on Foreign Relations, noted that Bulgaria was the only EU member state to omit any explicit mention of Russia in its official position.

Observers suggest this omission, alongside a perceived lack of domestic investigation into Russian networks, may signal a lack of commitment to collective European security and could undermine confidence in Bulgarian institutions.