Pro-Russian activists attack EU building and police in Bulgaria

On Saturday, February 22, clashes broke out in the Bulgarian capital Sofia between police and protesters from the pro-Russian Revival party who attacked the European Union’s office in the country.

According to BNR, participants of the protest organized by the Revival party against the adoption of the euro in Bulgaria marched to the building of the European Commission’s office in Sofia.

The protesters threw eggs, firecrackers, and paint at the building and tried to set fire to its doors, but the fire was extinguished.

The Bulgarian police tried to prevent the desecration of the EU Delegation building and set up a cordon between the protesters and the building itself. As a result, the police themselves suffered from the actions of the protesters.

Bulgarian Interior Ministry spokesman Stefan Ivanov later said that 10 police officers were injured in the clashes, and six protesters were detained.

The protest ended with the singing of the Bulgarian national anthem in the square between the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the President’s residence.

Bulgaria’s pro-Russian far-right Revival party is known for sending a delegation to Moscow in early 2024 at the invitation of Vladimir Putin’s party.

Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov called this party neo-fascist for the aggressive behavior of its leader and followers.