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

The Festival of Elena Dry-Cured Ham offers a rich folklore program, demonstrations and tastings

The Festival of Elena Dry-Cured Ham which will take place from October 24 to 26 in the town of Elena, offers a rich folklore program, competitions, demonstrations and tastings, the organizers from the Municipality of Elena and the Local Tourism Council..

published on 10/24/25 7:50 AM

The Institute of Agriculture-Kyustendil celebrates the Festival of Agricultural Science with a tasting of new apple varieties

The Institute of Agriculture-Kyustendil will celebrate the Festival of Agricultural Science today with a tasting of new apple varieties and hybrids, the institute’s director, Associate Professor Iliyana Krishkova, told BTA. Farmers will be presented..

published on 10/24/25 7:05 AM

Band of rain to sweep across Bulgaria from west to east

On Friday, morning temperatures will range from 10 to 15°C, with 10°C in Sofia. Rain is expected in the western regions in the early hours. During the day, skies will remain cloudy as rain moves from west to east, gradually easing in the afternoon with..

published on 10/23/25 7:05 PM