Bucharest: Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said Monday that a member of the Russian Embassy in Bucharest had been declared undesirable (persona non grata) and ordered to leave the country within five days.
The Foreign Ministry summoned the Ambassador of Russia to its headquarters upon the instructions of Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Toiu.
“The summoning came as a firm response to the repeated violations of Romania’s airspace between 24 and 26 July 2026, during which the Romanian Armed Forces downed three drones that entered national territory without authorisation. The Russian diplomat was presented with fragments of a drone destroyed on Romanian territory, components which official prosecutor investigations have confirmed to be of Russian origin,” the Ministry stated on X.
During the meeting, the Romanian side expressed its firm protest against these “illegal and irresponsible” actions and emphasised the clear attribution of responsibility.
“It was stressed that it is absolutely inadmissible and intolerable for the Russian Federation to continue violating Romania’s airspace, which also constitutes NATO and European Union airspace. The Romanian side highlighted that the Russian Federation bears exclusive responsibility for all these grave incidents and for the deterioration of the regional security environment,” the Ministry said.
Additionally, the MFA recalled Romania’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation to Bucharest for consultations.
“Romania will continue to coordinate its response closely with its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and European Union (EU) Allies and partners, remaining firmly committed to adopting all necessary measures to protect national security and its citizens,” the Ministry noted.
In May, a maritime drone self-detonated in Romania’s Constanta port, causing no casualties. In another incident, a drone crashed onto the roof of a residential apartment building in Galati municipality, causing a fire.
Following that incident, Romanian President Nicusor Dan announced the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Constanta and declared the Consul General persona non grata. He decided after a meeting of the country’s Supreme Council of National Defence, where they discussed the consequences of the drone crash in Galati.
(IANS)
