KYIV: Ukraine said on Monday Russian drones had detonated on the territory of Nato member Romania during an overnight air strike on a Ukrainian port across the Danube River, but Bucharest denied its territory had been hit.

This news agency could not independently verify either account, a rare report of stray weapons from the war in Ukraine hitting a neighbouring member of the Western military alliance.

“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,” foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said, referring to Iranian-made drones. “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,” he wrote on Facebook.

However, the Romanian Defence Ministry said Romania was not hit. “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,” it said. “At no time did Russia’s means of attack generate direct military threats on Romanian national territory or waters.”

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2023