One of the findings in the State of Defence and the Armed Forces of Bulgaria 2022 report, which was approved and made public by the Council of Ministers on Monday, is that the Russian army is systematically committing war crimes in Ukraine.
According to the report, Russian military aggression poses the biggest threat to world security right now. Additionally stated are the risks associated with cyber security, the increased activation of Russian subversive hybrid activity, and the active use of energy in military-political campaigns. Also mentioned as having higher risks are the Black Sea, Caucasus, Moldova, and Belarus.
This is in contrast to Rumen Radev, the president of Bulgaria, who appointed the caretaker government presently in charge, consistently taking a pro-Russian stance.
“The unjustified war in Ukraine, which was started in complete violation of international law, caused damage of particularly large proportions to all spheres of social and economic life. The Russian armed forces committed systematic war crimes. This full-scale armed conflict has a significant impact not only on Ukraine and the region but in a global aspect”
The document claims that the conflict contributed to the growth of Russian hybrid sabotage against NATO and EU nations.
“The purpose of these actions is aimed primarily at creating domestic political destabilisation and public opposition; impeding decisions to strengthen the Union’s deterrence and defence potential; reducing solidarity and support for Ukraine and the provision of timely and effective military assistance; continuing dependence on Russian energy supplies”
“Bulgaria was also subject to systemic Russian hybrid impacts, including through unilateral interruption of gas supplies, to influence sovereign national strategic decision-making”
The authors of the document claim that Russia’s covert efforts to foment a second zone of instability by exploiting the conflicts and issues already present in the Balkans played a damaging role. Constitutional changes are being put off, in part because of persistent anti-Bulgarian socio-political stereotypes, according to the Republic of North Macedonia, which “harms the beginning of negotiations for the country’s accession to the EU.”
“The separatist initiatives of the Bosnian Serb leaders, backed by the Kremlin, continue to pose a threat to the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbia continues to experience a significant Russian impact”
The official document expresses Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine and its righteous efforts to thwart Russian military aggression, including by offering military assistance. Bulgaria remains in solidarity with Ukraine.
The report’s major recommendations for the Bulgarian army center on the necessity of raising the bar for the army’s defense capabilities in light of the fundamentally altered security environment. According to the report’s findings, the nation must be a trustworthy and valuable NATO partner.
