Ukraine denies sending drone after Bulgarian pipeline explosion

Ukraine denied intentionally sending any drone toward Bulgaria after an August 8 explosion near a Trans-Balkan gas pipeline compressor station, saying it is investigating. Foreign ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhyi said Ukraine was in close contact with Bulgaria and open to cooperation, adding Russia’s five-year war was the root cause. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said the drone entered from Romania and exploded 1,000 meters away. Bulgaria’s Defense Ministry said preliminary analysis indicated the wreckage was likely a Maya decoy drone, widely used by Ukrainian forces; the explosion occurred near the former Kardam border checkpoint.