Ukrainian Ex-Soldiers Detained in Bulgaria on Espionage Charges

• •Two Ukrainian ex-servicemen charged with espionage in Bulgaria.
• •Court finds sufficient evidence, citing risks of absconding and reoffending.
• •Defendants face severe penalties, including life imprisonment if convicted.

Two former Ukrainian soldiers, Oleksiy Timofeev and Roman Zozulya, have been ordered to remain in custody by the Sofia City Court in Bulgaria due to espionage charges. The court found sufficient evidence to support the accusations, which include gathering sensitive information related to national security. Both men were detained near a military facility on January 12, 2026, and face severe penalties if convicted, including up to life imprisonment. The court noted a significant risk of them absconding or reoffending, leading to the decision to keep them in custody. Timofeev, 41, and Zozulya, 32, are both former servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with backgrounds in unmanned aircraft systems and airborne assault forces, respectively. They had been residing in Spain before their arrest. The case is still ongoing, with the possibility of appealing the court's decision.