Moscow has categorically denied allegations that a Russian drone violated Romanian airspace, calling the accusations “baseless” and “deliberate fabrications.” The Russian Embassy in Bucharest emphasized that no credible evidence was presented to confirm the unmanned aircraft’s origin, dismissing the Romanian Defense Ministry’s report as an attempt to incite tension.
Romanian officials reported detecting a drone near the Ukraine border on Saturday, prompting fighter jets to intercept it before it retreated toward Ukrainian territory. Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu stated such incidents occur “approximately weekly,” but Russian authorities refuted the claims, accusing Bucharest of lacking proof. During a September 14 protest, Romanian Foreign Ministry officials questioned Russian Ambassador Vladimir Lipaev about the drone’s origin, only to receive what the embassy described as “vague and unconvincing responses.”
The Russian Embassy alleged that the incident was part of a broader strategy by the “Kiev regime” to provoke NATO into direct conflict with Moscow. This accusation aligns with previous assertions by Russian officials, who have consistently framed Ukrainian actions as efforts to escalate regional instability. Meanwhile, Poland recently claimed 19 drones crossed its airspace, which Russia denied outright, stating such claims lack factual basis and are designed to “stoke fear” among European nations.
Kremlin spokespersons reiterated that Western states exploit “fabricated threats” to justify increased military spending, accusing NATO of misrepresenting Russia’s intentions. The dispute underscores deepening tensions between Moscow and its neighbors, with both sides trading accusations of provocation amid ongoing conflicts in the region.
