Bulgaria’s Steadfast Support for Ukraine: A Four-Year Review of Military Aid

As Ukraine marks four years since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Bulgaria continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting Ukraine through consistent humanitarian and defense assistance. This support is framed within Bulgaria’s membership in the European Union and NATO, and is guided by a bilateral agreement signed with Ukraine in December 2022.

Bulgaria’s Military Aid Packages

Since the beginning of the war, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence has provided thirteen aid packages to Ukraine, as documented on the Platform for Access to Public Information of the Council of Ministers. Details regarding the specific contents and value of these packages remain classified, a practice consistent with Bulgarian national security protocols.

Legal Framework and Transparency

The provision of aid is formalized through an agreement between the Ministries of Defence of Bulgaria and Ukraine, ratified by the Bulgarian National Assembly on December 16, 2022. Notably, the National Assembly also decided against publishing the detailed lists of provided weaponry in the State Gazette, citing its inclusion within a broader report detailing the Bulgarian army’s overall armaments, including wartime and peacetime configurations.

Past Aid Deliveries

While specific details are often withheld, some past deliveries have been publicly acknowledged. In 2023, the Bulgarian Parliament approved the provision of armored personnel carriers and associated weaponry to Ukraine. The National Assembly authorized the transfer of obsolete or redundant portable anti-aircraft missile complexes and missiles to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. At the end of 2024, then-Acting Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov confirmed the delivery of Bulgarian self-propelled artillery installations “Gvozdika” to Ukraine.

European Support and Compensation

Military aid to Ukraine experienced a decline in 2025, with European nations stepping up to largely compensate for reduced support from the United States, according to research by the German Kiel Institute for World Economics [Kiel Institute for World Economics]. In 2025, European allies allocated €36 billion in military aid, a 14% decrease from the €41.1 billion provided in 2024. Disparities exist among European donors, with Northern and Western European countries contributing approximately 95% of the total aid.

Bulgaria has also received compensation for its military aid. As of early 2025, the Ministry of Defence reported receiving over 400 million BGN in compensation, with projections exceeding 600 million BGN through bilateral arrangements, the United States, and the European Commission.

Beyond Military Equipment

Bulgaria’s support extends beyond military hardware. The Ministry of Defence has also facilitated humanitarian assistance, including accommodation and sustenance for individuals granted temporary protection in Bulgaria. Aid packages have included essential supplies such as helmets, bulletproof vests, medical kits, winter clothing, and footwear.

Continued Commitment

The Ministry of Defence affirmed its continued commitment to supporting Ukraine, stating that providing military-technical assistance remains in Bulgaria’s strategic interest, as determined by decisions of the National Assembly. [Ministry of Defence of Ukraine]