Bulgarian security forces are investigating suspicions that unidentified perpetrators deliberately set fire to 11 antennas belonging to the Starlink satellite system at a guarded facility near Sofia. The incident has raised questions about the protection of key communication infrastructure and possible links to the war in Ukraine. Authorities have confirmed the investigation is underway, but so far no one has been charged, and officials have not publicly named any suspects.
Two Masked Individuals Allegedly Damaged 11 Antennas
The case was brought to light by Bulgarian opposition MP Ivaylo Mirchev. According to his statement on Facebook, two masked men allegedly set fire to 11 out of 17 SpaceX antennas used for Starlink satellite communication during the weekend.
Mirchev described the site as a secret facility near Sofia. However, the published information does not provide all details of the incident or clarify how the MP obtained information about the alleged attack.
On October 14, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said that the investigation was ongoing and that security forces were cooperating with foreign partner agencies. However, in his remarks, he neither explicitly confirmed nor denied the claim that the antennas had been deliberately set on fire.
A spokesperson for the Sofia prosecutor’s office, quoted by AFP, stated that the case is under investigation, but no charges have been filed so far.
Why Are Starlink Antennas Important?
Starlink is a satellite communication network operated by SpaceX. It provides internet access even in areas where land-based telecommunications infrastructure is inadequate or damaged. Connections are ensured by user terminals on the ground and a large constellation of satellites in Earth’s orbit.
Ground-based equipment is a vital part of any satellite communication system. Damage to these units can disrupt local operations or restrict service in the affected area. The real impact of the alleged attack near Sofia has yet to be made public.
The significance of such infrastructure became particularly visible during the war in Ukraine, where satellite connectivity has helped maintain communications when conventional networks have suffered outages or attacks. However, this does not in itself prove that the Bulgarian incident is linked to the war or had military objectives.
Incident Echoes September Fire in Poland
The Bulgarian investigation comes after a similar occurrence in Poland, where a fire broke out in September at a Starlink ground station in Wola Krobowska, south of Warsaw.
Polish authorities examined sabotage as a possible cause. Reports at the time indicated that multiple individuals had been detained by police. However, these developments do not automatically demonstrate that the two incidents are connected or that the same perpetrators were involved.
More about the previous case can be found in the article “Authorities investigate suspected sabotage in Starlink Poland fire. Russia not named as suspect.”
Authorities Consider Possible Sabotage
Arson at communication facilities in a guarded site prompts concerns about potential security lapses, deliberate attempts to damage strategic infrastructure, and possible broader motives.
Yet, several key questions remain unanswered in this case. It is not publicly confirmed who was behind the fire, whether it was part of a coordinated operation, or if the perpetrators had access to sensitive information about the facility.
The incident also fits into wider discussions about protecting European infrastructure from arson, cyber operations, and other forms of possible sabotage. In Slovakia too, security agencies have investigated suspected attacks on sites linked to support for Ukraine. Each case, however, needs to be evaluated independently based on available evidence.
This topic is further discussed in the article “A sabotage network is spreading across Europe. Slovakia investigates drone factory attack, highlighting security concerns around strategic facilities.”
Bulgarian Parliament Demands Answers
On Wednesday, October 14, the Bulgarian parliament debated recent security incidents in the Black Sea as well as the alleged arson attack on the Starlink antennas. The meeting reportedly included government representatives, ministers, and security officials.
According to the Bulgarian News Agency BTA, MPs are expected to receive updates on the measures taken, risks identified, and next steps by state authorities. Details of the investigation, however, remain limited.
For now, the case presents more questions than answers. The crucial issues will be to clarify what actually occurred at the facility near Sofia, who was responsible for damaging the equipment, and whether the incident was an isolated act or part of a wider operation.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
