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

The army is understaffed by 20%, Defence Minister Tagarev says

Rumen Radev attends the graduation ceremony at the G. S. Rakovski Military Academy
Photo: BTA

Addressing the graduates of the G. S. Rakovski Military Academy in Sofia, President Rumen Radev stated emergency measures were needed for military recruitment of persons with qualities, and for improving conditions so as to make sure their training is up to standard.  The war in Ukraine has shown how important it is for the systems of surveillance, reconnaissance and communication to be integrated. It has demonstrated the capability of finding technological and cheap solutions on the battlefield. Using drones is one such example, Rumen Radev said.

The Bulgarian army is understaffed by around 20%, said at the ceremony Minister

of Defence Todor Tagarev. The Russian Federation is the biggest threat to NATO’s security, Minister Tagarev said further, and went back to the statement by the deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma Pyotr Tolstoy who said, on Russian state TV, that after Ukraine, it will be Romania and Bulgaria's turn. 



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

Cloudy weather, rainfall expected in Bulgaria on Friday

On Friday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from 6 to 11°C, in Sofia – 7°C.  During the day, it will be cloudy over most of the country. In the afternoon, rain will begin in Western Bulgaria, in the mountains above 2,000 meters - snow, and..

published on 10/16/25 7:25 PM

South Africa introduces visa-free regime for Bulgarians for stays of up to 90 days

The government of South Africa is introducing a visa-free regime for Bulgarian citizens holding ordinary passports for stays of up to 90 days , the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pretoria announced on its Facebook page. “We express our gratitude to the..

published on 10/16/25 4:16 PM

Bulgaria to receive two F-16 Block 70 aircraft “very soon”, says Bulgarian Air Force commander

Two more F-16 Block 70 aircraft are expected to arrive in Bulgaria very soon. This was announced by the commander of the Air Force, Major General Nikolay Rusev, in front of journalists. So far, Bulgaria has received four F-16 Block 70 aircraft..

published on 10/16/25 3:00 PM