ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

UPDATED: Two pilots killed as military plane crashes while training for air show

Graf Ignatievo Air Base
Photo: BTA

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov has cancelled the air show at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base after an L-39 ZA military transport plane crashed, the Defence Ministry said.

The accident occurred during preparations for tomorrow's demonstrations to mark the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's accession to NATO. 

The L-39 trainer crashed at the Graf Ignatyevo airbase while performing a complex manoeuvre at extremely low altitude. The two pilots had no reaction time for ejection. They were killed in the crash. An investigation is under way. Measures have been taken to locate the fires and determine the causes of the accident. 

Earlier today, President Rumen Radev took part as co-pilot in a demonstration flight of an F-16 fighter jet at the airbase at the invitation of the US Air Force.

As a sign of respect for the fallen pilots, three days of mourning have been announced in the formations of the armed forces, it was reported.

The L-39 trainer aircraft has been in service in Bulgaria since 1994, when Bulgaria received 36 aircraft from Czechoslovakia, of which only 6 were flying as of 2014. They have been undergoing repairs in the Bulgarian military-industrial complex, BNT reported.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.
Radio Bulgaria News    atanas zapryanov crash graf ignatievo air base military transport plane nato

More from category

Warming continues on Thursday

On Thursday , the lowest temperatures will range from 6°C to 11°C, for Sofia around 10°C. It will be mostly sunny during the day. In the afternoon, there will be temporary increases in cloud cover over the mountainous regions in the western half..

published on 4/16/25 6:30 PM

Animal cruelty to be punished more severely in Bulgaria

The Council of Ministers has approved and submitted to Parliament for debate amendments to the Criminal Code that increase the penalties for torturing animals and add new, more severe punishments if what is done is filmed for distribution.  If..

published on 4/16/25 5:59 PM

Cabinet seeks renegotiation of RRP, sends letter to EU Commission

The Bulgarian government today approved and submitted to the European Commission a request to amend the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The renegotiation of the plan has been highlighted as a priority for the government of Rosen Zhelyazkov. The..

published on 4/16/25 5:28 PM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Partly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 24
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 20
Partly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 18
Partly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 24
Partly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 21
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 23
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 21
Partly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 21
Partly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 22
Partly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 25
Partly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 21
Partly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 23
Partly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 23
Partly Cloudy
Min: 5 | Max: 21
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 23
Partly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 23
Partly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 21
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 23
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 23
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 22
Partly Cloudy
Min: 5 | Max: 19
Partly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 22
Partly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 23
Partly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 21
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 23
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 22
Partly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 23
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

Blind ultrarunner Victor Asenov inducted into the Everesting Hall of Fame

Blind ultrarunner Victor Asenov has officially become part of the Everesting Hall of Fame, Sportal.bg reports. Between March 21 and 23, the..

published on 4/18/25 3:59 PM

13 people detained in Sofia during Police operation against illegal migration

Thirteen people were arrested in central Sofia during a specialized police operation aimed at countering illegal migration and preventing crimes..

published on 4/18/25 5:37 PM

National Gallery – Square 500 presents unique collection of Western European tapestries

For the first time, a unique collection of Western European textile panels (tapestries) is on display at the National Gallery – Square 500. The..

published on 4/19/25 6:10 AM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"