Two Russian diplomats stationed in Bulgaria were declared "unwelcome people”By the Bulgarian government because allegedly implicated in an affair that led to the arrest of at least six Bulgarian citizens, accused of having carried out acts of espionage on behalf of Moscow.
According to reports from intelNews, the six arrested were stopped by Bulgarian counter-espionage on Thursday 18 March, accused of spying on behalf of the main directorate of the general staff of the Russian armed forces, commonly known as GRU, Russia's main military intelligence agency. The six alleged spies reportedly provided Moscow with secrets on Bulgarian military affairs, as well as information on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. Bulgaria, a former ally of the Soviet Union, joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.
The decision to expel the diplomats would have been made soon after the ministry received official confirmation from the state prosecutor's office that the two Russians were implicated in spying activities of the alleged group of spies. The Russian embassy was given 72 hours to organize the two diplomats' departure from Bulgaria.
The Russian embassy in Sofia has made it known that the Kremlin could, in the next few days, retaliate against the Bulgarian government, expelling at least two Bulgarian diplomats from Moscow or St. Petersburg.
In a statement published on its website, the Russian embassy, reserving the right of retaliation, noted that this is another initiative by the Bulgarian authorities that will not contribute to the establishment of a constructive dialogue between the two countries. (Russia-Bulgaria) ".