Russia claims Romania drone incursion a ‘provocation’ by Ukraine

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia defined a drone incursion reported by Romania into its airspace over the weekend as a “provocation” by Ukraine, as its ambassador was summoned over the incident.

The Romanian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that it scrambled two fighter jets to monitor Russia's attacks on Ukraine when the drone intruded into the country's airspace.

The jets tracked it until it disappeared from the radar near the Romanian village of Chilia Veche, the ministry added.

“Romania condemns Russia’s reckless behavior, which threatens regional stability. Together with our NATO Allies, we remain vigilant and ready to defend every inch of Allied airspace,” said Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu, claiming the drone to be Russian.

In a statement on Telegram late Sunday, the Russian Embassy in Bucharest said Ambassador Vladimir Lipayev was summoned to Romania’s Foreign Ministry, which lodged a “strong protest.”

“During the conversation, however, not a single specific and convincing answer was given to any question about the identification of the drone that allegedly flew into Romanian airspace,” the statement said, rejecting the claim that the drone was Russian as “far-fetched and unfounded.”

The statement said “all the facts” indicated a “provocation” by Kyiv, which, it claimed, is trying to get European states involved in the over three-and-a-half-year war.

Meanwhile, a separate statement by the Romanian Foreign Ministry described the incursion as an “unacceptable and irresponsible act,” saying Russia had been asked to take all necessary measures to avoid future violations of its airspace.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a Sunday evening video address, accused Russia of “looking for ways” to expand the ongoing conflict toward Poland and the Baltics, as well as “testing Romania.”

Last week, Poland also said Russian drones entered its airspace. Russia denied any intention to strike targets on Polish territory, and that the strikes targeted enterprises of Kyiv’s military-industrial complex in western Ukraine.