Putin Declares Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine War
The Kremlin has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an “Easter ceasefire” in the war in Ukraine, declaring a temporary halt in hostilities lasting around 36 hours
Bulgaria Considers 'Not Fining' Stranded Russian Tourists for Visa Expiry
- Tweet
Send to Kindle
Exasperated Russian tourists wait in Varna Airport to see whether their flight has been rescheduled Monday. Photo by BGNES
The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked Border Police not to fine exiting Russian tourists who were stranded for days at two Bulgarian Black Sea airports in case their visas have expired.
More than 700 Russians and some 300 nationals from Finland and the Baltic states were stranded in Burgas and Varna airports Saturday, after Bulgaria Air cancelled their flights due to what it claims is a EUR 3.6 M debt on the part of operator Alma Tour.
Among the greatest worries of inconvenienced Russian holidaymakers was that should their tourist visas expire during the wait, they might have to face trouble with Bulgarian border authorities for lingering.
Saturday it was announced that apart from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Ministry of Transport, Bulgaria's Foreign Affairs Ministry is also working to resolve the case.
Since then, the only information coming out of the Ministry is Tuesday's statement it had "asked" Border Police to be lenient on the unfortunate tourists.
Related Articles:
EU Panic Deepens Over Hungary-Russia Ties and Possible Secret Leaks
A group of Members of the European Parliament has raised concerns over the potential leakage of confidential EU information to Russia, urging stronger safeguards within the European Parliament
Moldova Breaks Away From Russia-Led Bloc in Major Political Shock Move
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has formally enacted legislation withdrawing the country from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), marking a decisive step in Chisinau’s gradual disengagement from Russian-led structures
World | April 9, 2026, Thursday // 18:36
“Putin’s Mouse” Call Leak: Orban Promised to Help Russia
A leaked transcript of a phone call between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin shows Orban offering extensive support to Moscow and describing himself as ready to help “in any way” in relation to the war in Ukraine
Strike on Russia's Black Sea Fleet: Ukrainian UAVs Target Frigate Admiral Grigorovich
Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles targeted Russian military assets in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk during a night-time operation between April 5 and 6
Russia Warns Citizens Against Travel to Bulgaria Over Risk of US Arrests
The Russian Embassy in Sofia has circulated a warning issued by the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, cautioning its citizens about what it describes as a heightened risk of detention abroad at the request of US authorities
Fewer Listings, Higher Costs: Bulgaria’s Vacation Property Market Faces 30% Surge
Specialists in the real estate and tourism sectors are forecasting a notable rise in the prices of vacation properties in Bulgaria, with estimates pointing to an increase of between 25% and 30%
Easter Skiing in Bulgaria: Bansko Opens with Deep Snow and Discounted Lift Passes
The ski zone above Bansko is set to welcome visitors during the Easter holidays with exceptional late-season conditions, as snow cover near Todorka Peak has reached close to three meters
President Yotova Urges Bulgaria to Promote Itself as Safe Destination to Save Tourist Season
President Iliana Yotova has called for Bulgaria to be actively promoted as a safe and competitively priced destination in order to secure a strong tourist season, during a meeting with caretaker Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva
Half of Bulgarian Holiday Rentals Set to Vanish from Airbnb and Booking Under New EU Rules
From May 20, 2026, around half of Bulgarian short-term rental listings are expected to disappear from platforms such as Airbnb and Booking, as new EU rules on digital registration and data exchange come into force
Sofia Airport Expands Big: 30 Airlines, 94 Destinations in Summer 2026 Schedule
Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport is entering the summer 2026 season with a significantly expanded flight network, offering more destinations and greater connectivity across Europe and beyond
Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry: Do Not Travel To Cuba
The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has elevated the travel risk level for Cuba to Level 4, advising citizens to avoid travel to the country except in situations of extreme necessity.
