SOVIET MILITARY BASES IN BULGARIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A002500070015-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2013
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: September 28, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/04/12 :CIA-RDP80-00810A002500070015-4
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This Document contains information aflecttag the Na-
tional Defense of the IInlted 8tatea, within the mean-
!ng of T1We 18, sections 793 and 794, of the II.s. Code, ae
amended. Its truiamisaton or revelation of Its contents
to or receipt by sn unauthorized person >s prohibited
by law. The reproductton of this form 1s pmhlblted.
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICII>1LS ONLY
sECURItY INfoRlrtAnoN
Bulgaria
SUBJECT Soviet Military Bases in Bulgaria
PLACE ACQUIRED
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 50X1-HUM~B September 1953
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUAilONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL Of CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. Since 1952 the Soviets have started constructing several military bases in Bulgaria,
including naval bases located along the Black Sea coat and airfieyds. This
construction works part of which has been completed is proceeding at a rapid pace
under the e~irection of Soviet technicians and with the use of~Bulgarian laborers.
2. In addition to the co:~struction work mentioned above, existing installations are
being modernized and enlarged, as follows::
a. At Plovdiv eight kilometers south of the city, there is an airfield which
has been recently modernized; it is equipped with:
(1) Six masonry hangars,with eternitl roofs, 1t0 x 20 meters in si ze;
(2) Day and night landing facilities;
(3) Four underground fuel reservoirs; and
(!t) Various offices and services housed in two 2-story buildings.
The airfield is connected to the city by means of an asphalt road; several
Soviet fighters were observed at this field;
b. Another field is located two kilometers south of the Plovdiv airfield and is
used for training student pilots; it has no installations and is 1,500 x 800
meters in' size;
c. An area for .parking Soviet aircraft is located on the southern outskirts of
Plovdiv and includes two workshops and four warehouses of aeronautical
materiel; airplane engines arriving from the Soviet Union are overhauled
here; personnel. assigned to this base consist entirely of Soviets; this
area is connected to the Plovdiv freight yard by means of a private branch
line;
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
STATE X ARMY x NAVY x AIR EV X FBI AEC
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/04/12 :CIA-RDP80-00810A002500070015-4
 Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/04/12 :CIA-RDP80-00810A002500070015-4
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
d. At Yambol, t2iree kilometers west of the city, there is an airfield which was
recentl3r renovated; it includes:
(1) Five masonry hangars, with eternit roofs, each 60 x 30 meters in size;
(2) Three 1-stork buildings occupied by the airfield command and va riau s offices;
(3) Three underground fuel reservoirs.
This field is 1,600 x 800 meters in size; an unidentified number of Soviet
fighters were observed here;
e. At Yambol-Botevo, ten kilometers south of Yambol, a new airfield is being
built;~ 'two hmsgars~ under construction and several buildings were observed;
20 wooden barracks were built for the troops, the airfield command, and for
offices; this airfield, 1,L~00 x 600 meters in size, is used exclusive]y by
the Bulgarian Air Force; fuel is at present kept in barrels under wooden
sheds;
f... At Ruse, five kilometers west of the city., anew airfield is being constructed;
at present six hangars and four buildings are being built, and the ground is
being levelled; all the various Bulgarian Air Force schomis will be located at
field, rich is approximately 2,000 meters in length; and
g. At Balchik there is a hydroplane base where the 25 Torpedo Squadron is now
stationed.
50X1-HUM
1. Comment; 'Eternit is described as an asbestos fibre mixed with
Por an cemen
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/04/12 :CIA-RDP80-00810A002500070015-4