Bulgaria has been drawn into another controversy after the British newspaper "The Telegraph" reported that Russian citizens, including active-duty servicemen, were being trained at facilities in Bulgaria and Serbia for the war in Ukraine.
According to the report, an intelligence assessment said Western military veterans had been recruited to train Russian nationals. One of the facilities was identified as the international training center Alfa Metal in northern Bulgaria.
Further reading: British Special Forces Veterans Allegedly Trained Russians in Bulgaria
Alfa Metal rejected the report, saying the British media claims that Russian soldiers were being trained in Bulgaria to fight in Ukraine were false and intended only to create a sensation. The company said the center operates as a legitimate international training facility.
Former Defense Minister Boyko Noev said the existence of such a center does not in itself mean that illegal activity is taking place. He said the more important question was whether the company operates legally and whether its activities are properly monitored by Bulgarian authorities.
