Defence Minister: Russian Il-76 did not deviate from route over Bulgaria

A Russian Il-76 aircraft that flew over Bulgaria on its way to Serbia had received diplomatic clearance for the flight, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told parliament’s Defence Committee. The aircraft was on a humanitarian mission to help fight the large wildfires in Serbia, the minister said, quoted by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

The aircraft passed 60–70 km north of Bezmer Air Base. Stoyanov dismissed as “unnecessary noise” claims that the Russian plane had deviated from its approved route and flown over the base.

“There was no deviation from the aircraft’s designated flight path,” he said, adding that neither Bulgarian nor allied security services had any indication that the aircraft had been conducting reconnaissance.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova