MoD issues a clarification in relation to Russia's conduct in the Black Sea affecting Bulgarian territorial waters

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence on July 27 issued a clarification in relation to NATO's press release after NATO-Ukraine Council meeting the day before.

On July 26, NATO condemned Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal and its attempts to block Ukraine’s grain exports, stressing that Russia's new "warning zone" affects the territorial waters of Bulgaria, which is a member of the alliance, AFP and DPA reported.

"The Russian Federation had sent a public notification to designate a temporary warning zone in the Black Sea due to the conduct of military exercises. The zone includes parts of Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone."

“Although these actions do not constitute a formal violation of international legal norms, they are not considered good practice.”

"Bulgaria and the Allies continue the regular activities of enhanced surveillance in the NATO area of responsibility, in accordance with the decisions within the framework of the Alliance,” the statement of the Ministry of Defence said.

"Russia’s new warning area in the Black Sea, within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone, has created new risks for miscalculation and escalation," the NATO statement said.

Last week, Russia pulled out from a key UN-backed agreement that allowed Ukraine to export its grain through the Black Sea from the summer of 2022. It then began shelling the port areas of the city of Odessa and then the Ukrainian port of Reni, AFP notes.

NATO added that it is stepping up surveillance in the Black Sea region, including with maritime patrol aircraft and drones,