U.S. refuelling aircraft leave Bulgaria four months early
Bulgarian officials say U.S. refuelling aircraft stationed at the Bezmer air base have left the site and ended their mission four months before the scheduled deadline.
Elena Yotova, Bulgaria’s vice president, told reporters at an event yesterday that the aircraft had departed and their mission was over. Bulgaria’s defence minister, Dimitar Stoyanov, also said the aircraft left the base on Friday.
Earlier, Bulgaria’s parliament had approved the deployment of up to eight U.S. KC-135 refuelling aircraft at the Bezmer air base from July 24 to October 1, 2026. The purpose of the mission was said to be supporting U.S. operations in the Middle East.
However, Bulgaria’s defence ministry said only two of the aircraft arrived at the base on July 31. According to the Bulgarian defence minister, these two aircraft carried out no flights south during their stay, and all of their flights were limited to training exercises in the airspace of allied countries in the west and northwest.
The Bezmer air base is located about 300 kilometres east of Sofia. It is one of Bulgaria’s military facilities where the United States is allowed to station personnel and equipment under a bilateral defence agreement.
