Bulgarian Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov described as a historical scandal the statement made by the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry that the deportation of Jews from Bulgaria had been averted thanks to the Soviet army.

“The truth is that the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews is the result of the efforts of the Bulgarian people because in their innate tolerance, Bulgarians have always been tolerant of others - and between Bulgarians and Jews, unlike many other countries, where antisemitism was policy, in Bulgaria, it has never been manifested. The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry is very likeable, but she omitted reading Bulgaria's history in any detail," said Minister Karakachanov. 

Earlier in the day President Rumen Radev reacted sharply to the statements by the Russian side. In the words of the Bulgarian head of state they show “a deep ignorance of history or are an attempt at a provocation”.