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Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said Bulgaria had asked NATO for aircraft, air defense and counter-drone systems, and air patrols as attacks on vessels in the Black Sea intensify, while former prime ministers, ministers, military officers and diplomats issued an appeal urging the country to strengthen its defenses and coordinate more closely with European Union and NATO allies.

Speaking to journalists, Stoyanov said attacks in the Black Sea were growing more intense by the day, with strikes in Romanian territorial waters highlighting the need to modernize Bulgaria ’s armed forces and expand their defensive capabilities. BGNES reported his remarks.

“ We have requested aviation, surface-to-air missile systems, counter-drone systems, and air patrols - essentially, the entire spectrum of available assets, ” Stoyanov said, explaining that the requests were also intended to demonstrate a strong presence in the region.

The minister said it remained unclear what assistance Bulgaria would receive. Romania and the Baltic states had similar needs, he added, while European partners were paying increasing attention to Black Sea security.

“ I hope for a swift response and a strengthening of our capabilities ,” Stoyanov said. He stressed the need for a common action plan and said a meeting was expected soon involving the defense ministers of Turkey and Romania and the chiefs of defense of all three countries.

Stoyanov said absolute security in the Black Sea could not be guaranteed even with allied forces and equipment deployed in the region. Both Russia and Ukraine possess advanced technology, he noted, yet drone and ballistic missile attacks continue.

“ 100% security is impossible, ” the defense minister said, adding that the aim was to reduce the danger as much as possible.

Bulgaria is using its available forces and equipment for surveillance and countermeasures, Stoyanov said. The country currently has two reconnaissance systems monitoring its maritime territory, with a third expected to be deployed by the end of the year. He said the new system had never been used elsewhere.

The minister also discussed the operation to recover the vessel Chelsea 3, which was suspended the day because of bad weather. The ship is anchored 10 kilometers east of Lozenets, and the operation is due to resume when conditions improve, allowing it to be towed to the port of Burgas.

“ We hope that useful information can be retrieved from Chelsea 3, but the Ministry of Defense is not conducting the investigation, ” Stoyanov said.

Separately, an open appeal signed by former Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, former prime ministers Ivan Kostov, Boyko Borissov, Kiril Petkov and Nikolay Denkov, former ministers, senior retired and reserve military officers, diplomats and public figures calls for urgent action to address growing security threats in the Black Sea region.

Published in Sofia on October 15, 2026, the appeal is addressed to Bulgarian citizens, the National Assembly, the government, the European Union and NATO. Its signatories urge President Rumen Radev and the government to defend national security, strengthen the armed forces and work more closely with Bulgaria ’s allies.

The appeal cites repeated drone attacks on commercial vessels near Bulgaria and Romania, including in Romanian territorial waters, as well as subversive operations attributed to Russian intelligence services in Bulgaria and Romania in recent years. The signatories describe these incidents as evidence of expanding risks to Bulgaria and the region, affecting not only shipping but also citizens, critical infrastructure and national sovereignty.

The document acknowledges that assessments may differ over whether the incidents represent a new stage of escalation, preparations for a wider confrontation or the early signs of such a conflict. However, the signatories say the broader trend of rising military risks in the Black Sea is clear.

They insist that each incident must be investigated and responsibility established on the basis of evidence, but argue that uncertainty over who carried out an individual attack cannot justify failing to prepare.

“ The lack of a definitive attribution for any specific strike cannot serve as a justification for inaction or a failure to prepare, ” the appeal states.

The signatories express concern that Bulgaria is confronting these threats with armed forces they consider insufficiently prepared and political leaders who, in their view, have not demonstrated the resolve needed to protect national security and citizens’ interests. They also warn of a campaign intended to spread fear and paralyze society.

“ The Black Sea is turning into a war zone. Bulgaria must be prepared to defend itself, ” the appeal declares.

The authors reject the argument that Bulgaria can avoid being drawn into the war by maintaining good relations with the Kremlin or distancing itself from Ukraine, the EU and NATO.

“ Peace is not guaranteed by the hope that Putin will spare us if we distance ourselves from Ukraine, the European Union, and NATO ,” the document states.

Instead, the signatories argue that peace depends on combat-ready armed forces, effective security services, modern surveillance systems, credible deterrence and close cooperation with Bulgaria ’s European and NATO allies. They stress that preparing to defend the country does not mean seeking war or intending to attack another state, but ensuring that aggression does not reach Bulgarian homes.

The appeal urges citizens to demand evidence of the state’s ability to protect them rather than accept political assurances that the country will remain safe through its relations with Moscow. It also warns that keeping a low profile, relying on promises or expecting goodwill from Russia could allow further provocations and attacks.

The signatories say stronger Bulgarian defensive capabilities and greater support from the EU and NATO would make deterrence more credible and improve the prospects for preserving peace. They warn against waiting for another ship to sink, critical infrastructure to be attacked, violence to occur or lives to be lost before responding to the risks.

The document calls on the government to prioritize national security over immediate political considerations and take concrete steps, including unequivocally condemning the escalation of Russian military activity in the Black Sea, improving surveillance and defense of Bulgarian airspace and maritime territory, accelerating the development of counter-drone capabilities and coordinating the work of the armed forces, security services and civilian institutions.

It also calls for closer cooperation with allies to protect commercial shipping, ports and critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, and for the government to prepare for future threats rather than simply assess past incidents. The signatories urge Bulgaria to draw extensively on Ukraine’s experience in countering unmanned systems.

The appeal also asks the EU and NATO to make Black Sea security an immediate priority and strengthen coordinated defense along the alliance’s eastern flank. It calls for integrated maritime and aerial surveillance, timely intelligence sharing, joint capabilities to counter aerial and maritime drones, and specific measures to protect shipping, ports and energy infrastructure.

Bulgaria , the authors say, should take the initiative and participate actively in these efforts rather than become a weak link in collective allied defense. They urge citizens to hold politicians accountable and the government to act.

The signatories also identify the upcoming presidential elections as an opportunity to bring questions of security, solidarity with allies and Bulgaria ’s place in European politics to the forefront of public debate.

The appeal remains open to professionals with experience in foreign policy, defense and security who wish to add their names.

Among its signatories are former President Rosen Plevneliev and former prime ministers Boyko Borissov, Ivan Kostov, Kiril Petkov and Nikolay Denkov.

The former ministers who have signed are Anyu Angelov, Asen Vassilev, Atanas Zapryanov, Boyko Noev, Valentin Radev, Velizar Shalamanov, Gergana Pasi, Daniel Mitov, Korman Ismailov, Lidiya Shuleva, Meglena Kuneva, Nadezhda Neynski, Nikolay Nenchev, Nikolay Svinarov, Rumyana Bachvarova, Solomon Pasi, Todor Tagarev and Traycho Traykov.

The military signatories include retired and reserve officers Lieutenant General Chavdar Chervenkov, Major General Stefan Dimitrov and Brigadier General Dinko Ivanov.

Diplomats and public figures who have joined the appeal are Valeri Rachev, Vesela Cherneva, Dimitar Ivanovski, Elena Poptodorova, Ivan Anchev, Ilian Vasilev, Orhan Ismailov, Radan Kanev, Stefan Tafrov and Stoyan Stalev.

The appeal was signed in Sofia on October 15, 2026, and addressed to Bulgarian citizens, the National Assembly, the government, the European Union and NATO.