MiG-29s and F-16s to Escort Tsar Samuel’s Remains to Sofia

Bulgaria will receive the remains of Tsar Samuel at a state ceremony in Sofia on October 3, with the Spartan military transport aircraft carrying them to be escorted by MiG-29 and F-16 fighter jets, the Government Information Service said.

More than 1,000 years after his death, the medieval ruler is returning to Bulgaria, whose freedom and independence he devoted his life to, according to the government statement. His remains will be formally handed over to the Bulgarian state on October 3 at the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki, in the presence of Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Once the Spartan enters Bulgarian airspace, two pairs of MiG-29 and F-16 fighters will meet and escort it. The aircraft formation is expected to pass over Knyaz Alexander I Square in Sofia at around 12:30 p.m. The fighters will make another flyover after the transport aircraft lands.

Bulgarian Armed Forces personnel will then take Tsar Samuel's remains from Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia to Knyaz Alexander I Square.

Radev will speak at the state ceremony, titled "Bulgaria Welcomes Tsar Samuel." A 21-gun artillery salute will accompany the Bulgarian national anthem.

About 750 Interior Ministry employees will be deployed to provide security and maintain public order during the ceremony and the reception and interment of the remains in Sofia, Chief Inspector Ivan Georgiev, head of the Mass Events Sector at the Sofia Directorate of the Interior Ministry, told reporters on Thursday.

After the official ceremony, a procession will make its way to the Church of Saint Sophia. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects to Tsar Samuel's remains there, and a trisagion service will be held inside the church.