Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria places shoes outside Russian embassy, commemorating children killed in Ukraine

Marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria (DSB) – a member party of the We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria coalition – placed children’s shoes outside the Russian embassy in Sofia on February 24.

The shoes commemorated the more than 669 children killed in Ukraine, the DSB said.

The DSB also rented a billboard near the Russian embassy, calling Russia a terrorist state and detailing the numbers of civilians killed and children abducted.

It said that more than 14 999 civilians had died and more than 19 546 children had been abducted.

“The destroyed homes, the broken families, the children who know the sound of sirens better than the school bell, the minus 20 degree cold when there is no electricity…the triumph of evil that Putin’s criminal regime has unleashed on this beautiful and suffering land,” the party said.

“For four years, Ukrainians have been paying the price for us living in the comfort of our familiar world. It is a debt we will never be able to repay,” it said.

“Bulgaria will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine – for as long as necessary. Because Ukraine is fighting as much for itself as for all of us,” the DSB said.

Nikolai Denkov, former prime minister and co-leader of the WCC-DB parliamentary group, said on Facebook on February 24: “Four years after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Putin ‘wants peace’ – but not only does he not withdraw his troops from the occupied territories, but he is also eagerly following in the footsteps of Stalin with his Holodomor”.

Four years later, the European Union is strengthening defence and security for all member states and is even more united against the military threat, Denkov said.

“Because the mad aggressor in the Kremlin will not stop at Ukraine,” he said.

“Four years later, in Bulgaria, there are no longer any restraints for national traitors who, with lies, propaganda and strange foreign policy actions, are trying to divert us from the European direction – the only one that leads to security, justice and a better life.

“After four years of devastation, ruined destinies and taken lives, support for Ukraine must be unconditional. Because only it guarantees peace in Europe, based on the power of international law,” Denkov said.

(Photos: DSB)