The last group of researchers from the 31st National Antarctic Expedition returned to Bulgaria on Sunday noon. They were welcomed at Sofia Airport by Professor Hristo Pimpirev, head of the Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition. 

"This expedition will go down in history", said Hristo Pimpirev and added that the scientific program was implemented successfully. The Bulgarian researchers worked on 7 scientific projects related to global issues such as microplastic pollution in the Southern Ocean and global warming. The construction of the concrete foundation of the new laboratory unit of the Bulgarian Antarctic base "St. Kliment Ohridski" on Livingston Island was completed. According to Professor Pimpirev, this expedition is a milestone in Bulgaria's maritime history, as no Bulgarian military research ship has ever reached the ice continent until now.