Bulgaria delivered one-third of EU arms to Ukraine since Russian invasion, says von der Leyen
Photo: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says that since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Bulgaria has delivered a third of the total EU-supplied arms to Kyiv, reports BGNES.
Von der Leyen noted that Bulgaria has a strong defense industry. It is the only country in the EU where the largest private employer is a defense company.
Bulgaria produces large quantities of ammunition and explosives, as well as many types of weapons. According to von der Leyen, since the start of Russia's invasion, a third of the weapons received by the Ukrainian army have come from Bulgaria.
"Bulgaria actively contributes to the defense and security of both Ukraine and Europe. Your industry is a source of national and European pride, for which I thank you," she added.
External and domestic supplies
On August 28, the US State Department approved the sale of 3,350 extended-range air-to-air missiles (ERAM) to Ukraine for $825 million. The missiles could start arriving by the end of this year.
Earlier, on July 23, the State Department and Pentagon agreed to provide Ukraine with two military aid packages totaling $322 million.
At the same time, Ukraine has ramped up mass production of the long-range strike drone FP-1, first unveiled in May 2025. The drone is now being manufactured at a rate comparable to Russia's major Shahed drone factory in Alabuga.
