Bulgaria is increasing security at the Lukoil refinery after adopting the law criticized by Moscow

Bulgarian authorities are carrying out inspections and implementing security measures at Russian producer Lukoil's Burgas oil refinery to protect critical infrastructure, Prime Minister Rosen Jelyazkov said on Monday, as the government prepares to take control of the site.

Last week, Bulgaria adopted legislative changes that allow it to take over the refinery and sell it to a new owner to protect it from US sanctions.

Jelyazkov said on Monday that the measures, including inspections and military police training, are preventive and aimed at protecting critical infrastructure, including the oil refinery and other facilities.

Anti-drone system in the Bulgarian region of Burgas

The Bulgarian Council of Ministers issued a statement on Sunday stating that the State Security Service, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense have taken additional measures to ensure security “in the area of ​​Lukoil's LKOH.MM sites – elements of critical infrastructure on the territory of Bulgaria.”

“The Ministry of Defense redeployed an anti-drone system in the Burgas region,” the statement said. “An inspection is being carried out to verify compliance with the plan and security measures at strategic facilities,” the statement added.

According to the statement, “military police teams are also on standby and ready to assist the Ministry of Interior.”

Bulgaria's Nova TV reported that incoming vehicles are strictly checked, including for possible explosive devices.

Under the new law, a special manager could be appointed to oversee the sale of the Burgas refinery. Lukoil, the current owner, would not have the right to vote or challenge the decision.

The US and Britain last month announced sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft, Russia's two biggest oil companies, over Moscow's war against Ukraine, complicating how the companies conduct their operations.

Russia's ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, told TASS that Bulgaria's actions were “hasty and legally questionable.”

“We still have to see how this law works, but right now it looks like a property expropriation law,” she said. “The Bulgarians are taking a very risky step. They are creating a dangerous precedent,” concluded the ambassador.