Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska calls off her visit to Kyiv

Russia attacks Ukraine

Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry sets up crisis task force for evacuating all Bulgarians wishing to leave Ukraine. “I strongly condemn Russia’s military aggression,” Foreign Minister Genchovska says

| updated on 2/24/22 12:12 PM
In a televised address, Vladimir Putin announced the start of a military operation in Ukraine, 24 February, 2022.
Photo: Reuters

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin announced he has made a decision to launch a special military operation in Donbas. In a televised address to the nation he stated that the People’s Republic of Donbas had requested Russia’s help.  

The attack began with missile strikes against military and communication facilities on the entire territory of Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian border service, the Russian units are advancing from 5 directions, including from Crimea and Belarus. Dozens are reported killed in battle and during the air raids. Tanks were seen fighting just outside Kharkiv. The Ukrainian side says it has brought down 6 Russian aircraft and one helicopter. The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that the Belarusian troops are not involved in the campaign.

Ukrainian troops near Luhansk, 23 February, 2022

Addressing Russians in the Russian language, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged them not to support “a major war in Europe”, stating that the Kremlin was lying to them that they are liberating Ukraine. Zelensky said that he had tried to call Vladimir Putin. “I initiated a telephone call with the President of the Russian federation. Result: silence,” he said.

NATO is convening a special virtual summit over the Ukraine conflict.

At a seminar on NATO’s future strategic concept, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte announced that the Netherlands was sending F-35 fighters to Bulgaria to provide swift advance warning in the event of a Russian attack.

Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska has called off her visit to Kyiv, scheduled for 24 February. She was the first Bulgarian official to have categorically condemned the military aggression in the very first hours of the attack. 

Photos Reuters and EPA/BGNES



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

PM Rosen Zhelyazkov (L) and GERB leader Boyko Borissov.

GERB and DPS-New Beginning rule out early elections

‘This is not the time for early elections,’ said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at a GERB party conference. According to BTA, he was opposed to holding elections during the country’s planned adoption of the euro in 2026. GERB chairman Boyko..

published on 10/17/25 1:12 PM
Blagomir Kotsev

Appellate Court-Sofia leaves Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev in custody

The Sofia Appellate Court left in custody Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, who is charged with corruption and participation in an organized crime group.  The judgment is final. One of the three judges, Andrey Angelov, signed with a dissenting..

published on 10/17/25 11:03 AM

Justice Minister Georgiev discusses with the EC legislative changes related to the new payment under the RRP

Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev conferred in Brussels with the European Commission team responsible for the Resilience and Recovery Plan (RRP) reforms in Bulgaria, reported the Ministry of Justice. EC: RRP payment depends on..

published on 10/17/25 9:51 AM