Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The drone that flew over Sofia Airport is of a military type and is used for espionage and surveillance

Border Police Director Anton Zlatanov
Photo: BTA-archive

The mysterious drone that made random maneuvers at Sofia Airport on February 7 and delayed six flights was hacked, manipulated, and was definitely not random. Large drones like the one used are military-type and are used for espionage and surveillance, Border Police Director Anton Zlatanov told public broadcaster BNT.

''A drone sold by a licensed company will not be able to fly over the airport because the area is restricted. This indicates that the drone was manipulated and that this was a deliberate action'', Anton Zlatanov said further.

The drone was apparently hacked, said Todor Ivandjikov, President of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association. ''In most drones, the software is programmed to include the airport as a restricted zone. This drone was apparently hacked or specially assembled, with its software allowing it to pass anywhere'', the expert commented.



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.

More from category

Temperatures go down on Sunday, rain and snow in the forecast

Over the next 24 hours the weather in the country will be dynamic. After temporarily dispersing, after midnight the clouds will increase and the precipitation will pick up from the Northwest. During the day on Sunday the rain will continue, and..

published on 4/5/25 6:10 PM

Former athlete detained with 30 kgs. of cocaine worth over 5 million Leva

The Sofia district court has left 45-year old Bulgarian former athlete Petar Dachev in custody. Dachev was detained on 2 April in the region of Petrohan pass for possession of 30 kgs. of cocaine, public service TV BNT reports. The cocaine, hidden..

published on 4/5/25 5:39 PM
Daniel Mitov

Interior minister orders nationwide inspection of dangerous road sections

Against the background of protests in different towns across the country against the “war on the roads”, the poor condition of roads, corruption in public procurement and flawed road repairs, Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov has ordered a..

published on 4/5/25 2:28 PM