Bulgarian diplomatic missions in Kyiv and Odessa, buses with citizens are being evacuated

The Bulgarian embassy in Kyiv and the consulate general in Odessa are temporarily closed, the Bulgarian diplomats are being evacuated, it became clear after a briefing of the Foreign Ministry on February 28.

Four buses with citizens and all vehicles of the Bulgarian embassy in Kyiv are travelling towards the Ukrainian border, Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska said. The Situation Centre will work throughout the night to ensure their safe passage to Bulgaria.

In total, 200 people are in the buses and cars, including Bulgarians, citizens of Ukraine, the USA, North Macedonia and Georgia.

Two buses of people and the entire staff of the Bulgarian Consulate General in Odessa are on their way to Bulgaria. They are 130 people. The regular Odessa - Varna bus service continues to operate.

"I would like to thank my colleagues from the Situation Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who are working 24/7 to do everything possible to ensure that Bulgarian citizens who have declared their wish to be evacuated from Ukraine are able to do so plus citizens of Ukraine and other citizens," Minister Genchovska said.

17 Bulgarian sailors are sailing on a ship about 30 km from the port of Odessa. Only two crew members have asked to be evacuated.

58 Bulgarians in Moscow have requested evacuation, we are in constant contact with the embassy, Minister Genchovska said.

Meanwhile, several cities in the country have announced their readiness to accept refugees from Ukraine. Veliko Tarnovo has a Coordination Centre which expects to receive 15 people, Sofia is ready to provide over 200 places for Ukrainian citizens.