NATO Member Romania ‘Categorically Denies’ Ukraine’s Report Of Russian Drones Detonating

Ukrainian officials said Monday that Russian drones “fell and detonated on the territory of Romania” overnight, but the NATO member says these claims are false. 

Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko cited the country’s state border guard service in saying two Russian drones hit Romania during a “massive” attack against Ukraine. If the allegations are true, they could potentially ignite a serious escalation in the war – but the Romanian defense ministry has come out to “categorically deny” the reports while reiterating its support for the embattled nation. 

“According to Ukraine’s state border guard service, last night, during a massive Russian attack near the port of Izmail, Russian ‘Shakheds’ fell and detonated on the territory of Romania,” Nikolenko said, according to Reuters. “This is yet another confirmation that Russia’s missile terror poses a huge threat not only to Ukraine’s security, but also to the security of neighbouring countries, including NATO member states.”

Russia’s air strike targeted Ukrainian port infrastructure on the Danube River, near the border with Romania. Reuters reports that Nikolenko posted a photo showing flames rising across the river, but the outlet could not verify the image or Ukraine’s claims. 

“The ministry of defence categorically denies information from the public space regarding a so-called overnight situation during which Russian drones would have fallen in Romania’s national territory,” said the Romanian defense ministry. “At no time did Russia’s means of attack generate direct military threats on Romanian national territory or waters.”

“The Ministry of National Defence reiterates the fact that these attacks targeting the Ukrainian sites and civilian infrastructure are unjustified and break all international humanitarian rules,” the government ministry added. 

“According to the information of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, tonight during a massive attack by Russia in the area of the #Izmail Port, Russian ‘Shaheds’ fell and detonated on the territory of #Romania” — spokesperson of the MFA of ??.

Photo via his Facebook pic.twitter.com/rIomv3n2dN

— UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) September 4, 2023

One member of Ukraine’s parliament, Oksana Savchuk, believes that Romania’s comments on the alleged drone mishap may be an effort by NATO to prevent war with Russia, according to the outlet. 

Under Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty, all member states “agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all.” Romania joined NATO in 2004. 

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Russia invaded Ukraine last February, and the war has dragged on with no end in sight. Last week, Ukrainian generals said they had breached Russia’s first line of defense near Zaporizhzhi, according to The Guardian. However, the prime minister of Hungary — a NATO member — Viktor Orbán, said in an interview with Tucker Carlson last week that the notion Ukraine could win the war “is not just a misunderstanding. It is a lie. It’s impossible.”

Ukraine has relied on the West for supplies, weapons, and other support throughout the war. The Biden administration has continued to send aid to the country, despite a CNN poll released last month showing a majority of Americans oppose additional funding. 

“It’s very important that Ukraine win this war,” a senior State Department official said last month. “And by ‘win,’ I mean as President Biden said, Russians leave all of Ukraine.”