Bulgaria has taken the decision to expel the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia and two Belarusian priests, accusing them of acting in Moscow's geopolitical interests. The National Security Agency stated that the clerics were implementing Moscow's hybrid strategy to purposely influence socio-political processes in Bulgaria in favor of Russian geopolitical interests. As a result, the agency has banned them from entering the country for the next five years.

The Russian embassy in Sofia confirmed that one of the men expelled was the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia, Archimandrite Vassian. In response to the expulsions, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova issued a statement condemning the actions as a blatant unfriendly act. She expressed outrage and shock, stating that the current leadership in Bulgaria was not only destroying political contacts between the two states, but also cultural and humanitarian ties between the people.

Zakharova also revealed that Sofia's Russian church, which had served as a place of common prayer between Russians and Bulgarians for many years, will now be closed. The church, known for its pretty little building with onion-shaped domes located in downtown Sofia, also attracted tourists. Zakharova emphasized that the responsibility for the rapid degradation of bilateral ties between Russia and Bulgaria lies entirely with the Bulgarian side. Bulgaria, a member of the European Union and NATO, shares close historical and cultural ties with Russia as a Slavic and Orthodox country. However, relations between the two countries have been strained since Russia's war against Ukraine. Last year, Sofia expelled 70 Russian diplomatic staff, further exacerbating the tensions.