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

Chief commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov

Over 43,000 euros found in those who demanded bribes from drivers of Robbie Williams' equipment

The two employees of the Executive Agency "Automobile Administration", who demanded bribes from foreign truck drivers transporting equipment for Robbie Williams' mega show, have been fired , brought to criminal liability and detained for 72 hours...

published on 9/29/25 7:05 PM

Partly cloudy skies and autumn-like temperatures expected on Tuesday

On Tuesday, the lowest temperatures will range from 5°C to 10°C, up to 13°C along the Black Sea coast. In Sofia the lowest temperature will be around 6°C. It will be mostly sunny during the day. In the afternoon, cloudiness will increase over the..

published on 9/29/25 6:30 PM

An increasing number of Bulgarians travel abroad, Greece is the most-preferred destination

In August 2025, the number of trips abroad made by Bulgarians totalled 1,078,900, which is a 19.4% increase compared to August 2024, according to data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI). The largest numbers of trips abroad by Bulgarians..

published on 9/29/25 2:20 PM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Overcast, rain
Min: 6 | Max: 18
Cloudy
Min: 13 | Max: 20
Cloudy
Min: 11 | Max: 18
Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 17
Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 15
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 19
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 18
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 18
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 20
Overcast, rain
Min: 7 | Max: 16
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 17
Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 16
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 21
Overcast, rain
Min: 5 | Max: 15
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 17
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 21
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 19
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 18
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 10 | Max: 20
Overcast, rain
Min: 6 | Max: 16
Overcast, rain
Min: 6 | Max: 16
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 21
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 21
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 22
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

Partly cloudy skies and autumn-like temperatures expected on Tuesday

On Tuesday, the lowest temperatures will range from 5°C to 10°C, up to 13°C along the Black Sea coast. In Sofia the lowest temperature will be around..

published on 9/29/25 6:30 PM

An increasing number of Bulgarians travel abroad, Greece is the most-preferred destination

In August 2025, the number of trips abroad made by Bulgarians totalled 1,078,900, which is a 19.4% increase compared to August 2024, according to data..

published on 9/29/25 2:20 PM

Over 43,000 euros found in those who demanded bribes from drivers of Robbie Williams' equipment

The two employees of the Executive Agency "Automobile Administration", who demanded bribes from foreign truck drivers transporting equipment for Robbie..

published on 9/29/25 7:05 PM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

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