Two Bessarabian Bulgarians from the Bolhrad region of Ukraine have recently lost their lives while serving in the ongoing conflict.
The Bolhrad Regional Military Administration confirmed the deaths of Sergey Dachev and Mihail Boev, both of whom were mobilized in the Ukrainian military.
Sergey Dachev, 39, was serving in Ukraine’s State Border Service when he died on September 6 in the Kharkiv region.
Dachev, a native of Bolhrad, was a soldier stationed on the frontlines as part of the efforts to defend Ukraine against ongoing Russian aggression. The Bolhrad Regional Military Administration has not yet set a date for Dachev’s funeral but stated that it would be announced soon.
Just days later, on September 10, Mihail Boev, a resident of Artsyz, succumbed to his injuries after being hospitalized.
Boev, born in 1975, was mobilized into the Ukrainian army, where he served as a mechanic and tank operator in the 110th Operational Mechanized Brigade. Boev had been severely wounded during combat operations and, despite medical intervention, did not survive.
The Bolhrad Regional Military Administration expressed its deepest condolences to the families of both men, paying tribute to their service in defending Ukraine.
Bessarabian Bulgarian Community in Ukraine
The deaths of Dachev and Boev have shaken the Bessarabian Bulgarian community in Ukraine, which has a long and rich history in the region.
According to the 2001 Ukrainian Census, the Bessarabian Bulgarian population is concentrated in Budjak, located in the Odesa Oblast in southern Ukraine.
The region is home to over 129,000 Bulgarians, with an additional 75,000 scattered throughout other parts of southern Ukraine. In total, the Bulgarian population in Ukraine is estimated at 204,600.
The Bolhrad region, where both Dachev and Boev originated, is a significant cultural and historical center for Bessarabian Bulgarians.
Of the 75,000 residents in Bolhrad, approximately 45,600 are of Bulgarian descent, making them the majority population. Other regions within Budjak also have notable Bulgarian communities, including Artsyz, where 20,200 of the 51,700 residents are of Bulgarian heritage.
Bulgarians in Ukraine’s Military
As the war in Ukraine continues, ethnic Bulgarians have played a role in defending the country, particularly in areas with significant Bulgarian populations such as Odesa and Budjak.
Many from these communities have been mobilized or volunteered to serve in various branches of the Ukrainian military, including border security and mechanized brigades.
The deaths of Dachev and Boev highlight the contribution of Bessarabian Bulgarians to Ukraine’s military efforts, as they stand alongside their Ukrainian compatriots to resist the Russian invasion.
Their sacrifices have brought both sorrow and pride to their communities, which have long identified as both Bulgarian and Ukrainian.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Bessarabian Bulgarian community, like many others across the country, remains deeply affected.
The loss of Dachev and Boev serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the war and the resilience of the communities enduring its impact.