In 2024, the high intensity of encroachments against national security related to operations of foreign special services, malicious information campaigns and cyber attacks will be maintained. This is stated in the report on the work of the Bulgarian State Agency "National Security" - SANS for 2023, BGNES reported.
The document states that security risks have increased in 2023 as a result of the actions of global and regional actors, competition for influence and access to resources, and the escalation of conflicts in the Black Sea-Caucasus region, the Middle East and Africa. "Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine and Moscow's malign hybrid campaigns remain a major erosive factor, and China's growing assertiveness for power projection positions it as a systemic challenge to Euro-Atlantic security," SANS emphasized.
According to counterintelligence, Russia's behavior generates increasing threats to global security. "The fears of possible Russian aggression towards other countries are increasing. The Kremlin regime's rhetoric about the possible use of nuclear weapons is intensifying," SANS warns.
Bulgarian counterintelligence pays particular attention to the situation in the Black Sea. Because of Russia's hostilities in Ukraine, they continue to have a complex negative impact on the Black Sea region, including in terms of environmental security, transport, tourism and investment climate. "The risk of large-scale pollution with a transboundary effect when affecting nuclear plants, chemical or oil facilities remains. Ongoing incidents involving vessels and aircraft and naval exercises conducted by Russia impede freedom of navigation and aviation in the Black Sea, including in the Bulgarian exclusive economic zone", state the SANS.
In 2023, the processes of destabilization in the countries of the Balkan Peninsula also have direct negative projections on Bulgaria's national security.
"In the Western Balkans, the potential for an escalation of tension, accompanied by acts of violence and attempts to change established state borders, remains. The main destabilizing factor remains the revanchist doctrines of individual countries, which correspond with the interests of external factors to hinder the processes of integration of the Western Balkan countries into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures and to project influence," SANS warns.
Counter-intelligence emphasizes that the region is witnessing increased hate speech against Bulgaria, including in some cases physical assaults against citizens of other countries who identify themselves as Bulgarians. "Malignant external interventions are exacerbating existing ethnic and religious divisions and problems, as well as domestic political and economic instability in some countries," the report said.
The security situation in the Western Balkans is also complicated by the high activity of organized crime, illegal migration, corruption, violation of the rule of law and retreats from democratic principles against the background of intensifying authoritarian tendencies. The problems related to the radicalization of the Muslim population and the activity of persons sympathetic to the activities of extremist groups remain relevant, including returned foreign terrorist fighters, SANS also warns. I BGNES
