Defense Express expert Kyrychevskyi tells how Bulgaria can help Ukraine

Defense Express expert Ivan Kyrychevskyi said this on Espreso TV. 

"Bulgaria may not even agree to the supply of S-300s now. Why didn't they decide to exchange for NASAMS in the winter? We need the S-300 from them now, regardless of whether it is December 2022 or July 2023. Bulgaria can receive NASAMS no earlier than 2025, and there is a waiting list. This is without adjustments for the military aid packages that we may be preparing. It may take an additional 5 years," the expert said.

He noted that Ukrainians and Bulgarians may have technical and military cooperation now.

"First, Bulgaria has very large capacities for the production of Soviet-caliber shells - not only 152-mm, but also 82-mm mines, 100-mm shells, which we also need for some types of guns. Bulgaria can repair the entire range of Soviet armored vehicles, including T-72 tanks. Their MiG-29s are also nearing the end of their service life, so we always need components for these aircraft in large quantities," Kyrychevskyi added.

According to the expert, if we can find mutually beneficial conditions for the Bulgarians to give their old aircraft to Ukraine as donors of spare parts, this is also a good option.

"Judging by some of the news about the F-16s, we will not get them tomorrow. We will continue to operate the MiG-29 for some time to come - the more spare parts, the better. If the Bulgarians can help with this, why not? This is an issue worthy of a visit by the head of state as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief," he concluded.

• On July 6, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived on an official visit to Bulgaria's capital Sofia and signed a declaration of support for Ukraine's membership in NATO.