A contingent of 97 Bulgarian troops has officially departed for Kosovo to join the NATO-led international peacekeeping mission (KFOR). The deployment was marked by a formal send-off ceremony held in front of the Municipality of Shumen on Thursday.
The event was attended by high-ranking military and local officials, including Lieutenant General Mihail Popov (Deputy Chief of Defense), Fleet Admiral Galin Manev, Brigadier General Plamen Jordanov (Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces Command), Katya Ivanova (Governor of Shumen District), Asya Asparuhova (Chairwoman of the Municipal Council), and Nikolay Kolev (Deputy Mayor of Shumen), according to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
Preparedness in a Shifting Environment
Addressing the soldiers, General Popov emphasized the unpredictable nature of peacekeeping missions:
“Each of you knows that no two missions are alike. Every week and every day brings new challenges. The situation in Kosovo is currently stable, but it can change at any moment. That’s why you must be ready to respond appropriately, follow standard procedures, and obey your commanders’ orders.”
He also reminded them of their broader representation:
“You are not just members of the 29th Mechanized Battalion or the Land Forces. To our allies, you represent the Bulgarian Army. To the local population and authorities, you are ambassadors of NATO.”
Symbolic Gesture and Blessings
As a gesture of support, Deputy Mayor Kolev presented the troops with an icon of Saint George the Victorious, telling them:
“Whenever a Bulgarian soldier crosses the national border, it’s always tied to an important mission and a duty to the homeland. We have full confidence in your training, professionalism, and discipline.”
The ceremony also included a religious service conducted for the health and well-being of the troops.
The Bulgarian contingent forms part of NATO’s ongoing efforts to ensure peace and stability in Kosovo, where KFOR continues to play a key role amid occasional security tensions.
