Kathmandu— A Ukrainian drone entered Bulgarian airspace from Romania on Saturday morning, exploding near a critical gas pipeline near the former Kardam border checkpoint. The unmanned aerial vehicle, which flew at a low altitude and carried a significant amount of explosives, detonated approximately one kilometer from a compressor station on the Trans-Balkan Pipeline, though officials reported no casualties or physical damage to the infrastructure.

Incident Details and Infrastructure Impact

The explosion occurred around 8:10 a.m. near the border, following noise detection by Romanian border police. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that a loud explosion was subsequently heard by the General Toshevo border police patrol.

The Trans-Balkan Pipeline is a vital component of the Vertical Gas Corridor, a strategic energy route connecting Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Ukraine. While the detonation occurred near a key compressor station, no damage to the pipeline was reported.

Investigation and Diplomatic Response

The Bulgarian Defense Ministry stated that an initial examination of the wreckage suggests the device was likely a Maya decoy drone used by the Ukrainian military. The ministry noted that, at this time, there is no reason to believe the incident was intentional.

In response to the explosion, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry summoned Ukrainian Ambassador to Bulgaria Olesya Ilashschuk to discuss the event. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgy Tikhy told journalists that Ukraine's defense forces did not deliberately direct any assets toward Bulgaria and noted that Kiev is currently establishing the technical facts of the incident.

Regional Context and Geopolitical Tension

This incident follows a pattern of Ukrainian aerial and naval drones straying into neighboring countries, with similar reports emerging from the Baltic to the Mediterranean. In June, Ukrainian naval drones detonated near the Romanian port of Constanta after Kiev reported losing control of them.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who has advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict rather than continued weapons deliveries, recently withdrew Bulgaria from the UK and France-led 'coalition of the willing.' Radev previously stated that Bulgaria has nothing left to provide after delivering 13 military-aid packages to Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities continue to investigate the technical circumstances surrounding the drone's flight path and detonation.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.