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

Bulgarian Air Force intercept trainer aircraft with transponder shut off and make it land

| updated on 7/14/22 5:28 PM
Photo: BGNES

On July 13, the Air Force intercepted a small Cessna-150 aircraft, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense has reported. After locating the aircraft flying without permission over the town of Svishtov, MiG-29 jets escorted it to an airport near Pleven.

It was later found out that it was a civil aviation training flight, but the plane did not have its transponder on. The pilot of the plane, Valery Iliev, an instructor from a private school for pilots, described the case as an "annoying mistake", BNR reporters informed.

The Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets have been raised in the sky on a signal from the NATO command in Torrejón, the outgoing Minister of Defense Dragomir Zakov announced at a briefing. He pointed out that apparently the actions of the plane were perceived as a potential risk and described the pilot's behavior as irresponsible for national security, especially in the current situation.


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

Residents of Sofia's Zaharna Fabrika district launch five-day protest

Roma families from Sofia's "Zaharna Fabrika" residential district, who were left homeless after their illegally built homes were demolished on April 15 this year, are launching a five-day protest. The demonstration is set to begin in the afternoon on..

published on 5/8/25 10:24 AM

Intense rain again causes flood in Northwestern Bulgaria

A second flood in two weeks in Northwestern Bulgaria has caused damage in the villages of Lehchevo and Kobilyak. The rainfall, accompanied by large hail, reached 35 liters per square meter in just ten minutes, Lehchevo Mayor Alexander Alexandrov told..

published on 5/8/25 9:45 AM

Exhibition showcases rare old-printed books and engravings from the library of the Rila Monastery

The exhibition “The Beauty of the Orthodox Spirit: Rare Old-Printed Books and Engravings from the Library of the Rila Monastery (16th–19th Century)” will officially open today at the Sts. Cyril and Methodius National Library, announced the Bulgarian..

published on 5/8/25 6:50 AM