Bulgarian authorities have launched inspections and implemented security measures around the Burgas oil refinery, operated by Russian group Lukoil, as the government prepares to assume control of the facility. This move follows recent legislative changes that allow the state to transfer management of the refinery to a new owner, aiming to shield the asset from US and UK sanctions targeting the company.
Reinforced security deployments in Burgas
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stated that the measures are preventive and intended to protect the country’s critical infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence has redeployed an anti-drone system in the Burgas region, while military police units remain on standby to support the Interior Ministry. Ongoing inspections are intended to ensure compliance with security protocols at strategic sites, with the refinery identified as a key installation.
Legal framework enabling asset transfer
Under the new legislation, a special manager may be appointed to oversee the sale of the industrial asset, excluding Lukoil from any voting rights or appeals. The Council of Ministers confirmed that the national security agency, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Defence have been instructed to maintain heightened surveillance of the area. All incoming vehicles are now subject to strict inspections, including checks for explosive devices.
Diplomatic reaction and potential tensions
Russia reacted strongly to the developments. Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, described the initiative as a “hasty and legally questionable measure”, pointing to a potential “expropriation of property”. She warned that the law could set a dangerous precedent in Europe, particularly in the context of sanctions imposed on Lukoil and Rosneft following Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
