Russia rejects Romanian claims over drones

Russia has rejected Romanian allegations linking drones that crashed on Romanian territory to Moscow, saying Romanian officials failed to provide evidence establishing their Russian origin.

The Russian Embassy in Romania said its ambassador was summoned to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, where diplomats were shown what they described as pieces of foam presented as evidence connected to the drone incidents, Russian media reports.

According to the Russian diplomatic mission, Romanian officials asked Moscow to consider the material as evidence of the drones’ Russian origin but did not provide what the embassy described as factual evidence directly linking the unmanned aircraft to Russia.

The embassy also disputed Romania’s handling of the incidents, alleging without providing evidence that they may have been deliberately staged and involved the use of training targets. Moscow claimed the incidents were intended to strengthen public support for increased military spending and Romania’s broader military buildup.

Russian diplomats further accused Bucharest of advocating for greater military capabilities among NATO members in the Black Sea region and of presenting Romania as a strategic NATO outpost while purchasing Western weapons.

The Russian Embassy said Moscow was closely monitoring the expansion of NATO forces and military infrastructure along Russia’s western borders and was taking what it called appropriate countermeasures.

It also warned that Romania could face consequences from what Moscow described as poorly considered Western policies aimed at escalating tensions.

Romania has repeatedly raised concerns over the security implications of the war in neighbouring Ukraine, while Moscow has consistently rejected accusations that it deliberately targets or threatens NATO territory.

By Sabina Mammadli