A fire that damaged Starlink satellite equipment in Bulgaria on October 9 was a deliberate act of sabotage, Plamen Tonchev, head of the State Agency for National Security (DANS), told lawmakers in parliament. Tonchev warned that similar attacks cannot be ruled out in the future. The incident occurred at an installation in the village of Plana, roughly 40 kilometers from Sofia, according to the newspaper Dnevnik. Two masked men set fire to 11 of the 17 Starlink antennas located at the site, according to Ivaylo Mirchev, a member of parliament from the opposition Democratic Bulgaria party who first reported the attack on October 12. The targeted antennas provided a vital connection to SpaceX’s network and were used in the war in Ukraine, Democratic Bulgaria stated. Mirchev told parliament on October 14 that Russia was likely behind the incident. This event follows a similar arson attack on Starlink facilities in Poland in late September, which Warsaw attributed directly to Russian intelligence services. German authorities subsequently arrested two Turkish nationals on October 12 in connection with the Polish sabotage operation.
Infrastructure Vulnerability and Cross-Border Investigations
The sabotage in Plana highlights growing physical vulnerabilities in satellite communications infrastructure supporting operations in Ukraine. The antennas destroyed in Bulgaria served as a primary link to the SpaceX network, which has played a critical role in military communications. In Poland, a similar late-September arson strike prompted an official conclusion from Warsaw pointing to Russian special services. On October 12, German police detained two Turkish citizens suspected of involvement in the Polish sabotage case, signaling a cross-border investigation into a wider campaign against critical communications nodes across the continent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the targeted Starlink facility located?
The equipment was housed at a site in the village of Plana, which is located approximately 40 kilometers outside of Sofia.
When did the arson attack take place?
The fire was set on October 9, though the incident was first made public by opposition lawmaker Ivaylo Mirchev on October 12.
How many antennas were damaged in the attack?
Two masked men set fire to 11 out of the 17 Starlink antennas present at the facility, according to reports provided to the Bulgarian parliament.
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