Bulgaria and Russia Helicopter Repairs and Transfers to Ukraine
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense has clarified that Russian helicopters were not repaired at a Bulgarian facility for shipment to Ukraine. This position aligns with reporting from Radio Bulgaria that referenced the ministry’s press service.
From January 2022 through April 2023, Terem-Letets, a subsidiary of a state enterprise owned by Temerem Holding under the Ministry of Defense, did not undertake Mi type repairs or modernization. The ministry notes that Mi models including Mi-8, Mi-17, and Mi-24 would be delivered to Ukraine at a later stage. This statement reflects formal responses to ongoing questions about the compatibility of repair work in Bulgaria with international obligations.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense also conveyed the Russian Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service stance regarding Bulgaria repairing Russian helicopters for Ukraine. The service announced that such repairs and transfers breached international commitments, reinforcing the official position that Bulgaria adheres to treaty obligations.
On March 30, the press service of the Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service issued a declaration. It stated that Czech and Bulgarian companies repairing Russian-made helicopters for Ukraine violated international obligations. The FSMTC noted that last year the certification of aircraft repair businesses in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic was suspended.
In another development cited by the FSMTC, the proposed transfer of MiG-29 aircraft to Kiev by Slovakia was described as a gross violation of international agreements. The overall narrative emphasizes adherence to international norms and respect for military-technical cooperation treaties.
These communications come amid ongoing monitoring of how military hardware repair, certification, and transfers align with treaty commitments. The Bulgarian authorities reaffirm that repairs and the movement of aircraft between states are governed by international agreements and oversight from relevant agencies. Cited: official statements from the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense and the Russian FSMTC, as reported by Radio Bulgaria.