Russian Foreign Ministry official representative Maria Zakharova claimed that accusations regarding Russian drones violating Romanian airspace are unfounded and staged, while simultaneously threatening Bucharest with appropriate retaliation following the expulsion of a Russian diplomat, according to the official channels of the Russian Foreign Ministry and reports from Oboz.ua.
Diplomatic Tensions Escalate After Drone Incidents
According to reports from Oboz.ua, Maria Zakharova released a statement on July 28 asserting that Romanian authorities groundlessly accused Russia of airspace violations utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles. Zakharova stated that these events were used as a pretext to expel a Russian diplomat, branding the drone incidents as staged and part of a disinformation campaign. Furthermore, Zakharova claimed that the leadership in Bucharest was attempting to conceal the negative consequences of its policy supporting Ukraine.
Official Positions and Counter-Claims
According to Oboz.ua, Russian Ambassador to Romania Vladimir Lipajev echoed these sentiments in comments to propaganda media, describing the Romanian complaints as a propaganda staging. Lipajev stated that the objective of this alleged staging was to divert attention from future strikes by the Russian armed forces against Ukrainian port infrastructure along the Danube and the Black Sea, which he noted are actively utilized by the NATO bloc. Conversely, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador on July 27, handed him a protest note following repeated airspace violations, and declared a Russian embassy employee persona non grata.
Military Interceptions Along the Black Sea
According to the Romanian Ministry of Defense, F-16 fighter jets scrambled three times between July 24 and July 26 to intercept and shoot down three Russian unmanned aerial vehicles that crossed into national airspace over the Black Sea basin. Ministry data shows that 33 separate instances of Russian drones entering Romanian airspace have been recorded since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Romania, a NATO member state, has repeatedly emphasized that it maintains continuous surveillance of its eastern border due to regular attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure situated along the Danube coastline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was a Russian diplomat expelled from Romania?
According to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomat was declared persona non grata following repeated violations of Romanian airspace by unmanned aerial vehicles.
How many drone incursions has Romania recorded?
According to the Romanian Ministry of Defense, 33 Russian drone incursions into national airspace have been documented since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
What was Russia’s official response to the accusations?
According to Russian Foreign Ministry official representative Maria Zakharova and Ambassador Vladimir Lipajev, the airspace violation claims were labeled as staged disinformation, and Moscow promised appropriate retaliatory measures against Bucharest.