The war in Ukraine has rearranged NATO’s priorities in Europe. In recent months, strengthening the Alliance’s eastern borders has entered the new regional plans. For Bulgaria, it has become clear that our country must prepare its infrastructure in such a way that it can house a brigade on our territory – i.e. up to 5,000 military personnel.
In this regard, during the week it became clear that one of the areas under consideration is that near Kabile. Defense Minister Todor Tagarev personally explained the parameters and benefits of the future facility in Sliven, but the citizens of Yambol are still very worried.
The village of Kabile is located just a few kilometers from Yambol, from the Bezmer air base, the Novo Selo training ground, the railway station and the sea. And at the moment there is a military area in the immediate vicinity of the village. These are also the specific requirements for the construction of new infrastructure for the servicemen of the multinational battle group.
According to Minister Tagarev, the facility will be infrastructure for the Bulgarian army, used by NATO allies. The Minister of Defense opened in Sliven a few days ago a renovated department of the military hospital, which is located about 25 kilometers from Kabile.
“The army has built almost nothing in terms of barracks fund. For many years the budgets have been falling. The number of the army has been reduced. Now the trend is the opposite. Thanks to Russia, which waged a full-scale war against Ukraine and which does not hide its hostile intentions towards us and other members of NATO, we are obliged to take measures. These measures are for increased vigilance on the part of NATO and increasing the capacity for deterrence and defense,” said Defense Minister Todor Tagarev.
Between 1,000 and 1,500 military personnel will be based at the future military facility, with the infrastructure planned to accommodate a larger capacity. The administration did not comment on whether or not there will be military equipment at the site. The Minister of Defense believes that there is no reason for people to be worried about the construction of such a base.
“Not only the multinational brigade that is stationed at this new site, but also our entire army is of interest to a possible aggressor, and when the probability of the beginning of aggression increases, the army will not stand in its barracks and wait for something to happen. It will moved out of there, he will take areas, he will provide security, defense, including anti-aircraft and anti-missile,” added Tagarev.
The benefits of building the new military infrastructure, according to the Ministry of Defense, are many. They were presented at a conference a few days ago in Sliven, in which the regional governor of Yambol also participated.
“The first goal and responsibility of the Department of Defense is the security of our country, and that’s the benefit that they highlighted. The second benefit that they focused on was the economic benefit. The business opportunities. As in the construction and construction of such infrastructure, facilities, buildings as well as subsequently the maintenance of this building and the facility, the supply, the conclusion of long-term contracts for services, goods, new, the opening of new jobs and the reduction of unemployment. crises, when the citizens of the relevant settlement will be able to use the capacity of this multinational combat group through their people and equipment, with which to limit as much as possible the consequences of disasters or for recovery purposes,” commented Bilyana Kavaldzhieva, Yambol district governor.
However, the people of Yambol and the region are not of the same opinion. In the city, for several months, there has also been a petition against the construction of the facility near Kabile.
The existing military area near Kabile is on the territory of the Yambol municipality, but it turned out that the municipality was not notified of the meeting held in Sliven, nor was contact sought with it.
“It is normal for the minister to come to our city and hear first-hand the opinion of our fellow citizens. It is said everywhere that these NATO servicemen will protect Yambol, but it is good to ask ourselves what they will protect us from. Will Yambol not have to become one goal with their presence, but I say again that the opinion of our fellow citizens is decisive and most important,” said the mayor of Yambol, Valentin Revanski.
According to Todor Tagarev, however, similar decisions in the history of our country have only been made by the Ministry of Defense. And the final decision on where the new infrastructure will be built will be presented to the National Assembly.
Reporter: Rumiana Stefanova
