In a televised address, Russian leader Vladimir Putin supported the "spontaneous" decision of separatists in the occupied Ukrainian territories to hold referendums on joining Russia. Putin announced a partial military mobilization of 300,000 reservists for the war in Ukraine and threatened that Russia was ready to use nuclear weapons. The Kremlin also announced a mobilization for the Russian military industrial complex.
"Sham referendums have no legitimacy and do not change the nature of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said Brussels would not recognize the results of the referendums. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington unequivocally rejects these referendums.
French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of imperialism. He described plans for referendums in war-torn territories as a "parody".
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has commented that Russian President Vladimir Putin's "imperial ambitions" could lead to devastation in Ukraine and Russia, if Putin did not admit he cannot win the war.
A survey by the Myara sociology agency, reported by BTA, found that 38% of Bulgarians cannot or will not vacation this summer. This was an answer given mostly by older people from small towns. Study reveals one fifth of Bulgarians live in poverty..
In an open letter to the President of the National Assembly and the chairpersons of the parliamentary groups, 12 NGOs call for the immediate election of a national Ombudsman, BNR’s Silvia Velikova reports. They write that the position of Ombudsman..
Rose picking season is starting this year with serious problems because of the prolonged cold spell, BGNES reports. The people in this line of business say they expect an extremely poor harvest, which gives rise to major financial concerns as the..
Household consumers will remain on the regulated electricity market for an unlimited period, said Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov at a briefing at the..
On Thursday, minimum temperatures will range from 8°C to 14°C. Around 9°C is expected in Sofia. Cloud and rain expected in western and central Bulgaria..
The Ministry of Culture is expecting UNESCO to approve, by the end of 2025, the application of the Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Sozopol as a..
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Cloudy
Occasional showers
Overcast, rain
Thunderstorms 
Mostly Cloudy