Romania has categorically denied claims by Ukrainian officials that Russian drones fell on its territory during a massive drone attack on a Ukrainian grain export hub in the Odesa region.
This development adds a layer of complexity to an already tense situation, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepares to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the revival of a grain export deal.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry had previously reported that drones used in the attack had fallen on Romanian soil, releasing images showing explosions across the Danube River.
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Ukrainian air defence forces shot down 17 drones
However, Romanian authorities assert that there was no direct military threat to Romania’s national territory or territorial waters. They firmly deny any Russian drones detonating on their territory.
Governor Oleg Kiper of Odesa confirmed that Ukrainian air defence forces successfully intercepted and shot down 17 drones, preventing casualties.
Nevertheless, the attack inflicted damage on critical infrastructure, including warehouses, agricultural machinery, and industrial equipment.
The affected port, Izmail, situated along the Danube River, has become a vital export route for Ukrainian products following Russia’s withdrawal from a UN-brokered grain export deal in July.
This incident follows a similar attack in the same region just a day prior, where Ukraine repelled a barrage of Russian drones, with Russia claiming to have targeted fuel storage facilities in the nearby port of Reni.
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Ukraine/Russia war: Pope warns of global conflict
In another news, Pope Francis has warned of an impending global conflict caused by the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.
Thus,he said, it was time for ‘humanity to abolish war before it abolishes humanity’.
He spoke at the weekend in St. Peters Square in Rome.
