A Russian Il-76 firefighting aircraft crossed Bulgarian airspace on Wednesday evening before landing in Serbia, where it has joined efforts to contain large-scale wildfires. Serbian authorities thanked Moscow for the assistance, while the flight also prompted questions in Bulgaria over the circumstances and possible purpose of the Russian aircraft.
The aircraft, operated by Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, flew through Bulgarian airspace between 8:14 p.m. and 9:05 p.m. on Wednesday before continuing toward Serbia. Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said the flight was humanitarian and had been authorized after an official Serbian request and diplomatic note related to the fires. The Transport Ministry also confirmed that the aircraft was a firefighting plane and said Bulgarian institutions had assisted in ensuring that the flight could take place as quickly as possible.
The Il-76 landed at Constantine the Great Airport in Niš, where it was met by Luka Čaušić, head of Serbia’s Emergency Situations Sector, and representatives of the Russian Embassy. Serbian authorities said the aircraft would primarily be deployed against the fires in the Deliblatska Sands area, where the situation remains particularly difficult.
