Full Breakdown
European Civilians Flock to Bulgarian Gun Ranges Amid Fears of War Spillover
6/15/2026, 12:40:03 AM
Surge in Private Firearms and CBRN Training
After three days at a Sofia shooting range, British father of two David finished a tactical course covering AK-47 handling, reloading and CBRN simulations. The programme advertises preparation for “everything up to chemical and nuclear weapon scenarios,” signalling a shift toward broader threat training.
Context: Russia’s Invasion and Growing Security Anxiety
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 sparked fears the war could spread across Europe. Volunteers like David, who has delivered aid in Ukraine, say the prospect of democracy slipping and minority rights eroding fuels personal urgency to gain defensive skills.
Key Participants: David, Dan, and Trainer Simon Feek
David, a Dutch-based volunteer, says his Ukraine experience compelled him to train. Dan, a London client, enjoys shooting discipline but does not plan to fight. Simon Feek, an Iraq War veteran living in Bulgaria for two decades, runs PrepYou.EU and oversees the courses.
Training Volume and Demographics
PrepYou.EU trains about 1,000 people yearly. Roughly 20 % are “concerned citizens” seeking readiness. Feek notes a surge after Russian tanks entered Ukraine, with participants from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and other EU states. CBRN training is also part of the curriculum.
Official Statements & Training Priorities
Feek says his organisation offers infantry instruction for civilians seeking preparedness and that its priority is the European Union and allied nations. He added CBRN modules respond to modern warfare’s chemical threats, urging trainees to carry medication for nerve-agent exposure. He warns even professional soldiers “hate CBRN” and view it as the most distressing subject.
Criticism, Skepticism, and Data Gaps
Dan argues that firearms skills may be of limited value if war erupts, stating that even if he knows how to shoot, he would likely leave Europe instead of fighting. The article provides no official statistics on foreign trainees in Bulgaria, leaving the scale of the phenomenon unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Me and my friends walk past the same adverts, every day, to join the Dutch territorial forces… when I see governments freaking out, I freak out too.” — David, British father of two
- “We provide good infantry training for concerned citizens,” — Simon Feek, founder of PrepYou.EU
- “Knowing how to shoot is useful, yes, but if I knew that war was imminently going to erupt in Europe, I would probably leave instead,” — Dan, London client
- “Whenever I return from Ukraine, I always think, ‘God, I should do more’,” — David
