The Story of Tsvetan Rumenov
Ukrainian troops have taken an unusual prisoner: a Bulgarian citizen named Tsvetan Rumenov, who signed a contract to fight for the Russian Federation’s military. His background includes education in the European Union, a period living in Canada, and personal struggles such as alcohol abuse. The interview with Rumenov was published by journalist Dmytro Karpenko.
Born in Varna, Rumenov earned a degree in tourism. After graduating, he worked in England, where his jobs included sorting trash in warehouses and packing bananas. He later moved to Canada to join a woman he had met online, whom he married. In Canada, he worked at a quarry earning around $1,700 USD per month. However, the marriage fell apart, and Rumenov returned to Bulgaria, where he began drinking heavily, particularly rakiya.
Soon after coming back to Bulgaria, Rumenov signed a contract with the Russian army worth three million rubles. During his service, he was issued an old rifle and ordered to assault positions held by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Rumenov stated:
“I was deceived. They promised me rear duties, but they threw me into an assault. I don’t understand politics at all.”
After being captured, Rumenov received medical care in the prisoner camp: his injured arm was treated, as Russian medics had refused to operate on it. His account also notes that he has poor eyesight (minus five), which may have affected his service.
Comment from Tsvetan’s Mother
In response to these events, Rumenov’s mother expressed her anger:
“Yesterday, this was already on the Bulgarian news. You let everyone down! These are your problems. You’d better stay there and take responsibility for your stupidity. My hope is that you’ll be convicted.”
Tsvetan Rumenov has urged his fellow Bulgarians not to join the Russian army, showing deep regret over his decision. His story illustrates how personal circumstances can drive people to make drastic choices with serious consequences.
This case highlights the complexity and ambiguity surrounding foreigners who become involved in military conflicts. Rumenov’s experience also demonstrates how individual issues can shape a person’s decisions—decisions that may have severe repercussions not only for themselves but also for their families. In wartime, such stories serve as important lessons that prompt reflection on the moral and ethical dimensions of participating in armed conflicts.