Bulgaria gets compensation for its military aid to Ukraine

Bulgarian Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov has said that Bulgaria received compensation worth 348 million leva (about 174 million euros) for providing military aid to Ukraine.

The funds have arrived in the budget of the Defence Ministry and will be used to support the military department and modernise the army, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“At the end of January, the Ministry of Defence received reimbursements for assistance to Ukraine in the amount of 348 million leva within the framework of two agreements with Denmark on defence cooperation approved in 2024. In line with the parliament's decision, the funds will be used for material support and modernisation of the army,” the minister said.

Notably, Bulgaria has been a significant contributor to Ukraine's defence efforts since the onset of Russia's invasion in 2022. The Bulgarian government has approved multiple military aid packages, including weapons, equipment, and ammunition, to support Ukraine. The exact contents of these packages are classified to maintain operational security. 

A remarkable example of Bulgaria's contributions came in March 2024, when the country sent 100 armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine. These vehicles, originally purchased during the communist era for internal use, were deemed surplus and repurposed to support Ukraine's defence efforts. 

In addition, in July 2023, Bulgaria delivered its largest military aid package, consisting of 100 armoured vehicles from the Bulgarian police stockpile. These infantry carrier vehicles, acquired during the 1980s "Revival Process" (a period marked by forced assimilation of the Turkish minority), had remained unused and were considered surplus.

By Khagan Isayev