Bulgar Migration into the Balkans

Timeline

1. 520–550Lower Volga · Volga regionThe Bulgar tribal confederation moved westward from the middle and lower Volga steppes; some branches entered the steppe between the Don and Dnieper, coming into contact with Alans, Ostrogoth remnants, and Slavic groups.
2. 550–580North shore of the Azov Sea · North shore of the Azov SeaThe Bulgar main force settled on the Azov and northern Black Sea steppes, establishing nomadic camps, maintaining intermittent contact with Byzantine Black Sea trading ports, while facing pressure from the Avars pushing from the west.
3. 580–600Lower Danube · Lower DanubeThe Bulgars moved further south, their range approaching the lower Danube and the Moesian frontier, interacting with Byzantine border defenses and local Slavic tribes, paving the way for Asparuh's crossing of the Danube in the 7th century to establish the Bulgarian Khanate.