Moscow Labels Drone Intrusion in Romania as Ukrainian Provocation

On Sunday, Russia’s embassy in Romania asserted that a drone incursion into the Eastern European nation the previous day was a «provocation» instigated by Ukraine.

Romania’s Defense Ministry reported on Saturday that two of its fighter jets intercepted a drone in Romanian airspace during Russian assaults on Ukraine.

The defense ministry indicated that the drone did not traverse inhabited areas and did not endanger civilians.

On Sunday, Romania’s Foreign Ministry called in Russian Ambassador Vladimir Lipayev to discuss the incident.

In response, Russia’s embassy rejected claims that one of its drones had entered Romanian airspace, instead labeling it a «calculated provocation by the Kyiv government.»

Furthermore, it criticized Bucharest authorities for not providing a «clear and credible response» to Moscow’s inquiries regarding the airspace breach.

Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Romania has recorded multiple instances of drones being downed within its borders.

The incident on Saturday occurred just days after Poland reported shooting down several Russian drones that had entered its airspace during a widespread aerial assault on Ukraine.

Both Romania and Poland are members of NATO.

This report includes contributions from AFP.