The first deliveries of Bulgarian BTR-60 PB armored personnel carriers (APCs), a local version of the Russian BTR-60, to Ukraine, are expected in the coming days, according to an announcement by Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev in early February 2024. This information comes from an interview with the BTV channel, where the minister specified that the first shipments had already left Bulgaria some time ago.
Bulgaria will initiate the process of delivering 100 APCs, specifically BTR-60 models, to Ukraine. This decision followed a period of political debate in Bulgaria, culminating in the overturning of a veto by President Rumen Radev, who had opposed the transfer. The BTR-60s, described as being in far from perfect condition, were previously used by Bulgaria’s internal forces. Despite their age and condition, these vehicles are considered valuable to Ukraine, which faces an acute need for military equipment amid ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian defense industry is expected to upgrade these APCs to more effectively serve various operational needs.