Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Russia to conduct naval exercises in part of Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone

The Russian Federation has released a public notification designating a temporary warning zone in the Black Sea in connection with the conduct of military exercises. The zone includes parts of Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry said, amid yesterday's NATO statement condemning Russia's dangerous behaviour in the Black Sea.

"Bulgaria and the Allies continue regular enhanced surveillance activities in the NATO area of responsibility," the defence ministry said, explaining that there was no cause for concern as the exercises would take place far from Bulgaria's territorial waters. "Although these actions do not constitute a formal violation of international legal norms, they are not considered good practice," the defence ministry said.

Speaking to journalists, Deputy Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said that according to international maritime law, the Russians are free to sail in the zone. "The problem is that by conducting exercises there, they have no right to impose an embargo on operations and impede shipping," he explained. 

"This is an attempt by Russia to raise the price of the grain deal, to hinder Ukraine and they will probably seek negotiations to bring the country back into the deal," the deputy minister added.

A day earlier, NATO said Russia's new Black Sea warning zone, within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, had created new risks of miscalculation and escalation, as well as serious impediments to freedom of navigation.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgaria, Romania and Greece coordinate the fight against diseases in sheep and goats

Minister of Agriculture Georgi Tahov held an online meeting with Deputy Minister of Agriculture in Romania Violeta Mușat and Secretary General of Rural Development and Food in Greece Spyros Protopsaltis. According to the Bulgarian..

published on 8/5/25 8:45 AM

Films from 19 countries screened at international short film festival in Varna

The 11 th edition of the International Short Film Festival “The Quarantine” is taking place in Varna on the Black Sea, August 5-9, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reports. 34 short films from 19 countries will be screened over 5 nights in the..

published on 8/5/25 7:30 AM

Rila Monastery welcomes 200 pilgrims following the “Rila miracle-worker” pilgrimage trail

The 200 people who set out on a pilgrimage called the “Rila miracle-worker” are to arrive at Rila monastery today. The “Rila miracle-worker” journey is part of the Christian pilgrimage trails known as the “Road of faith”. Hundreds of Orthodox..

published on 8/5/25 6:15 AM