Russia has extended until the end of September its naval exercise in a water area that also includes the Bulgarian economic zone in the Black Sea. This was announced by Bulgaria's Defence Minister Todor Tagarev, according to whom it is a question of provocative actions towards Bulgaria.

"We admit that Russia has blocked a large part of our exclusive economic zone for two months now. They have now announced that they will continue to conduct exercises until the end of the month in our economic zone, which we consider categorically as provocative actions towards Bulgaria, towards our security and economic interests. We are discussing a wide range of possible actions in response to this provocation by the Russian Federation - independently and above all with our allies," said the Defence Minister.