Russia threatens Romania with retaliatory measures after expulsion of diplomat over airspace violations

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would respond to Bucharest's decision to expel a Russian diplomat over drone incursions into Romanian airspace. She argued that the accusations against Russia are groundless, adding that "unfriendly steps will provoke a proportionate response," according to a report citing Zakharova's statement.

The incident comes amid a series of Russian strikes on Ukraine's Odesa region, which borders Romania. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down Russian drones that had crossed into the country's airspace.

Following the incidents, Romanian authorities summoned Russia's ambassador and handed him a note requiring one of the country's diplomats to leave within five days.

Russia's ambassador to Romania, Vladimir Lipaev, described the accusations as part of an anti-Russian propaganda campaign. According to the Russian embassy in Bucharest, the diplomat "categorically rejected the unfounded accusations against Russia," calling the move yet another staged incident intended to deter further Russian strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure on the Black Sea and the Danube — infrastructure that Moscow claims NATO is using to supply weapons and military equipment to Ukraine.

Romanian broadcaster Digi24 reported on Monday that several dozen Russian drones have entered Romanian airspace since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to Romanian officials, debris from downed or crashed Russian drones has been found on the country's territory around 50 times.

Source: novinky.cz