Bulgaria sends tanks to Ukraine for the first time

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: WOJCIECH GRZEDZINSKI / ANADOLU AGENCY / Anadolu Agency via AFP 22:50 p.m., July 21, 2023

Parliament approved by a large majority (148 for, 52 against) this proposal by the new pro-European government, which initiated a new strategy after previous interim governments were keen not to interfere in the conflict.

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These Soviet-designed BTR armoured personnel carriers, purchased in the 1980s, were never used. "Bulgaria no longer needs this equipment that can provide valuable support to Ukraine in its battle to preserve its independence and territorial integrity" from Russia, the text wrote.

"A betrayal and a shame" according to a pro-Russian party

The socialists of the PSB, heir to the Communist Party that once ruled the country, opposed this decision, as did the young pro-Russian ultra-nationalist party Vazrazhdane (Renaissance) which denounced "a betrayal and a shame".

Bulgaria, a member of the EU and NATO, has a large stockpile of Soviet equipment and weapons and also produces ammunition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came to Sofia in early July to discuss an acceleration of deliveries.

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Since this visit, the government has announced an unprecedented aid package that probably includes weapons and shells, although it did not want to provide details as the subject divides in the country. In practice, however, the arms factories have been operating at full capacity since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The industry's exports have surged, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, with goods being transported through third countries before reaching Ukraine.