PersonBG

Dimitar Stoyanov

Bulgaria's defence minister in Rumen Radev's government since May 2026, previously Radev's security adviser.

Dimitar Stoyanov said on 16 October 2026 that Sofia had requested NATO aircraft, air patrols, air defence and counter-drone systems, days after drones sank the HS Dignity off the country's Black Sea coast.

Last refreshed: 18 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Will NATO send the air defence Bulgaria asked for after the sinkings?

Timeline for Dimitar Stoyanov

#29 13 Oct

Announced Bulgaria's request to NATO

Russia-Ukraine War 2026: Drones sink HS Dignity off Bulgaria

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Background

Dimitar Stoyanov is Bulgaria's defence minister. He took office on 8 May 2026 in Rumen Radev's government, returning to a post he first held in the caretaker cabinets of 2022-23. From 2023 to January 2026 he was the president's secretary for security and defence. In March 2026 he became co-chair of Progressive Bulgaria with the former caretaker prime minister Galab Donev.

His request to NATO followed four drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria within a week. Mark Rutte, NATO's secretary general, answered that forces on the eastern flank would shift "as needed".

His ministry plans for defence spending to reach 5% of GDP by 2030, with 3.5% going on direct military spending, according to the state news agency BTA.

Common Questions

Who is Bulgaria's defence minister?

Dimitar Stoyanov has been defence minister since 8 May 2026 in Rumen Radev's government. He held the post before in 2022-23.Source: BTA; Wikipedia

What did Bulgaria ask NATO for after the Black Sea drone attacks?

On 16 October 2026 Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said Bulgaria had asked NATO for aircraft, air defence, counter-drone systems and air patrols.Source: Kyiv Post

How much will Bulgaria spend on defence?

The Defence Ministry plans to reach 5% of GDP by 2030, of which 3.5% would be direct military spending.Source: BTA

Source Material

Minister Stoyanov Presents Defence Priorities Who's who in Rumen Radev's cabinet: Dimitar Stoyanov Dimitar Stoyanov (military officer)

How the World Sees Them

South Korean foreign ministry

the absence of any constructive steps by the Ukrainian side

Alexander Lukashenko

We would very much like the Americans to fulfil the agreements one hundred per cent

Péter Magyar

as long as it merely transits the country, there would be no obstacle

Donald Tusk

Poland does not allow operations to be conducted on or over our territory without the explicit consent of the Polish state

Mindaugas Sinkevičius

there is no doubt it carried explosives

Alexander Stubb

Peace requires patience, but war doesn't wait. It is our duty to do what we can to bring Russia's war of aggression to an end.

Kaja Kallas

a dangerous and unacceptable escalation

Marco Rubio

Sanctions aren't just on Russia. They are on anyone who does business with Russia.

Chinese foreign ministry (Mao Ning)

I have no information on that at the moment.

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 18 October 2026. Editorial standards.