The military research vessel RSV 421 "Sts Cyril and Metodius" has returned to Bulgaria after successfully completing its third mission to Antarctica. The ship docked at the Marine Station in Varna, where it was welcomed with a military ceremony.

The vessel traveled 19,725 miles in 155 days, reported the ship's captain Radko Muevski. The ship embarked on its third expedition to the frozen continent on November 7, 2024. During the mission, the ship delivered 80 tons of equipment and a new space laboratory to the Bulgarian base on Livingston Island, which was officially opened and became operational in February. A total of 150 people were transported to the icy continent, including Bulgarian and foreign scientists from Spain, Bolivia, Colombia, Turkiye, Montenegro and Greece. Seven scientific research projects were completed, reported by Captain Muevski.