Two German Nationals Wanted in Bulgaria Over Arson Attacks on Starlink Antennas Near Sofia

Starlink Antennas Targeted by Fires in Bulgaria and Poland

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: European arrest warrants have been issued in Bulgaria for two 19-year-old German citizens suspected of setting fire to eight Starlink antennas near Sofia. The arson took place on October 9 in the village of Plana. On October 14, the Bulgarian prosecution formally charged the suspects, identified as S. I. and T. B., in absentia. Investigations reveal that the pair entered Bulgaria from Serbia via the Kalotina border crossing in a vehicle with German license plates and left the country just hours later.

Bulgarian authorities consider these attacks acts of sabotage, investigating possible links to similar fires at Starlink stations in Poland. Notably, on September 24, a fire broke out at a Starlink facility in the village of Wola Krobowska, Poland, damaging an electric generator. Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze. Polish prosecutors suspect the arson may have been orchestrated by a foreign intelligence service, likely Russian special agencies.

Apprehensions Linked to Starlink Attacks

In related developments, two Turkish nationals were detained in Germany on October 13 on suspicion of sabotage at a Starlink station in Poland's Mazovian Voivodeship. Subsequently, on October 16, Polish special services arrested a third suspect connected to the Wola Krobowska station fire. Plamen Tonchev, a Bulgarian official, warned that

"similar sabotage acts cannot be ruled out in the future."

It is important to highlight that the Starlink ground stations at Wola Krobowska and near Kaunas, Lithuania, provide internet connectivity for much of Central and Eastern Europe. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev declined to comment on the Starlink antenna fires, citing the ongoing investigation. Law enforcement agencies continue to closely monitor and investigate these acts of vandalism.

This series of arson attacks signals an increasing threat to critical communications infrastructure in the region. Given Starlink's role in delivering internet access across numerous Central and Eastern European countries, such destructive incidents could seriously disrupt connectivity and regional security. The ongoing probe aims not only to identify those responsible but also to prevent future sabotage attempts.