Russia denies responsibility after Romania drone incursion dispute intensifies
Russia has denied responsibility for a drone incident in Romania after Bucharest accused Moscow of carrying out an attack that crossed into Romanian territory. The dispute has become a fresh point of tension between Russia and NATO, with the alliance saying the drone that fell in Romania was of Russian origin. The incident was referenced again on Thursday as Moscow accused Europe of escalating militarisation and conflict.
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According to the supplied report, the Romanian accusation dates to 29 May, when NATO also signalled possible new sanctions in response. Hours after the bombing, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the allegation during a press conference and said he was not aware of any such attack. He challenged Romania to provide the drone wreckage as proof that it had been launched from Russia.
The report says two people were injured in the drone-related incident, and images from the scene showed firefighters and police working at the site of an explosion in a residential block near the border with Ukraine in Galati, Romania. NATO later reiterated that the drone which fell in Romania was of Russian origin. The alliance also said it would further strengthen its defences after the attack, underlining the wider security concern around the incident.
The dispute matters because it sits at the intersection of the war in Ukraine, NATO's eastern flank security, and the risk of spillover into neighbouring states. Romania is a NATO member, so any confirmed cross-border drone incident raises questions about air defence, deterrence and alliance response. The episode also comes as European governments have increased military spending in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and pressure from the United States.
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Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, used the latest comments to accuse Europe of arming itself "to the teeth" and promoting conflict on the continent. Putin separately dismissed claims that Russia was preparing for war with Europe, calling them false. He also said he could not predict when the conflict in Ukraine would end, while claiming Russian forces were advancing every day.
What remains unclear from the available material is the full chain of events behind the drone's path, the extent of the damage, and whether Romania or NATO will release further evidence. The key point to watch is whether the dispute leads to additional sanctions, new defensive measures, or further public evidence from either side. The incident is likely to remain part of the broader argument over Russian drone activity near NATO territory and the security consequences for countries bordering Ukraine.
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