Asenovgrad, Bulgaria—Today at 11:00 a.m., a ceremonial send-off will take place at the “Akademik Nikolay Haitov” square in Asenovgrad to mark the deployment of a Bulgarian military contingent for their mission with the NATO Stabilization Force in Kosovo (KFOR). The event will be graced by the presence of the Chief of Defense, Admiral Emil Eftimov.
The contingent comprises servicemen from various units, including the 4th Artillery Regiment, the 101st Alpine Regiment, and the 110th Logistics Regiment of the Ground Forces.
Additionally, personnel from the Mobile Communication and Information System of the Joint Forces Command will also be part of this mission. Their responsibilities will include security assistance, patrolling, and surveillance within their designated area of operations.
Leading the contingent as the national commander will be Lt. Col. Tsvetomir Deyanov from the Joint Forces Command.
Major Milen Zlatev, representing the 4th Artillery Regiment, will take on the role of the commander of the national support element and assistant national commander. Captain Kaloyan Dimitrov will oversee the maneuver company as its commander.
Bulgaria’s commitment to the NATO Stabilization Force in Kosovo dates back to February 2000. Over the years, the scope and scale of Bulgaria’s participation have evolved, with more than 1,800 Bulgarian military personnel having served in the mission to date. Presently, over 200 Bulgarian troops are actively involved.
This contingent includes staff officers and a national support element stationed at the operation’s headquarters in Pristina.
Additionally, a maneuver company with a communication and information node is deployed in the Regional Command “West” in Peja, and a mechanized company is integrated into the 2nd multinational battalion of the operational reserve in Peja.
The ongoing mission underscores Bulgaria’s continued commitment to international peacekeeping efforts and its role in stabilizing the region.
The deployment reflects the broader objectives of NATO in maintaining security and fostering stability in Kosovo, an area that has seen significant international engagement since the conflict in the late 1990s.
The ceremony in Asenovgrad will not only mark the departure of this latest contingent but also highlight the enduring partnership between Bulgaria and NATO in addressing regional security challenges.
As the contingent prepares for their mission, their roles will be crucial in supporting the ongoing efforts to ensure peace and stability in Kosovo.