Bulgarian Officials Honor Fallen Paratroopers on Combat Anniversary

Jerusalem, 18 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – The Day of the Military Paratrooper and the 82nd anniversary of the first combat day of the Parachute Company were marked with a solemn military ritual in front of the memorial plaque to the fallen paratroopers on “Narodno sabranie” Square in Sofia.

The President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Iliana Yotova, accepted the guard of honor and paid tribute to the Bulgarian paratroopers.

The tribute was attended by the Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov, Deputy Minister of Defense Katerina Gramatikova-Ivanova, the Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov, the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command of the Bulgarian Army Brigadier General Bozhidar Boykov, the Chairman of the Defense Committee Ivan Lalov and MPs. Among those present were also representatives of the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces, as well as servicemen from the Joint Special Operations Command and veterans.

In front of the memorial plaque to the fallen paratroopers, wreaths and flowers were laid on behalf of President Iliana Yotova, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov, and Speaker of the National Assembly Mihaela Dotsova. Flowers were also laid by parliamentary groups, associations and formations.

On this day in 1944, the Parachute Company of the First Bulgarian Army participated in real combat operations for the first time.